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Self harm information |
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• What is Self harm?
Self harm is causing deliberate hurt to your
own body, most commonly by cutting, but also
by burning, abusing drugs, alcohol or other
substances. This occurs at times of extreme
anger, distress and low self-esteem, in
order to either create a physical
manifestation of the negative feelings which
can then be dealt with, or alternatively to
punish yourself. Sometimes linked with
hearing voices - particularly as a way of
stopping the voices.
•
How many people are affected?
Like anorexia it has a higher prevalence in
teenagers and young people. Also like
anorexia it is more commonly experienced by
women than by men. The best estimate is 1 in
130 people - 446,000 or nearly half a
million across the UK.
The only recorded figures are from hospital
admissions to Accident & Emergency (A&E)
(142,000 resulting hospital admissions per
year in England and Wales), but the numbers
of people who self-harm who refer or are
referred to A&E will be very small. This is
because self-harm itself is not an attempt
at fatal injury, but rather an attempt to
inflict harm without the need for medical
intervention. Most people who self-harm will
make every effort to ensure that they stay
out of A&E - largely because of the
unsympathetic response that they expect
there.
• Is it a growing issue?
The issue is becoming more widely
recognized. But it’s difficult to say
whether the numbers of people self-harming
are themselves increasing. It is much more
common than could be seen from the only
available statistics but it is very probable
that it there have been high numbers for a
long time - it’s not something that’s
suddenly started happening. What’s changing
is the increasing willingness on the part of
service users to talk about the issue and
their dissatisfaction with services.
• Myths
Attention seeking -
People who self-harm tend to do so in
private. They often do not tell friends,
colleagues or family of what is happening.
Because of the stigma and low self-esteem
they are unlikely to seek help.
It doesn't hurt -
Of course it hurts. The initial sensation
may be blunted by the intensity of emotion
but yes, if you cut yourself deeply it will
hurt.
• Typical background / history
The use of self-harming as a coping or self
management strategy could be seen as similar
to the control that people with anorexia
feel over their bodies. Self-harming,
similar to anorexia can become habitual -
specifically at particular points of a
regular cycle of mental distress - and,
again like anorexia, it is usually only a
visible condition when extreme.
Self-harm is often associated with
depression, low self-esteem and a poor
physical self image. There is also a strong
association with sexual abuse. People who
self-harm will often start doing so at the
age of 14 or 15, although many continue to
do so for many years.
• How can self harm be prevented?
People who self-harm find a variety of
personal strategies useful to minimize or
manage their approach including:
-
Having a better understanding of why and
when you self harm - and identifying
those people who are supportive and make
you feel good about yourself - building
up your support network.
-
Minimization - making a small cut rather
than a big one, using clean implements.
This may mean cutting earlier rather
than later when the distress has built
up.
-
Distraction - trying to go and do
something else rather than cut yourself.
-
Avoidance - not keeping razor blades or
other sharp objects in the house.
-
Deterrent - having the item with which
you self-harm in sight all the time as a
reminder not to use it.
-
Talking - talk to somebody who you see
as "safe".
Anybody who is concerned about somebody who
is self-harming should be aware that they
cannot necessarily change their friend or
relative's life or coping mechanisms.
Instead they should simply try to be caring,
respectful and willing to listen (if that is
what is wanted) while allowing their friend
or relative to retain their dignity. They
should not patronize, condemn, judge,
attempt to explain or control, or panic
(however hard this may seem!).
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