Self-Harming Behaviors

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Self-harming behaviors leave lasting scars and often feelings of shame. For those who have never self-harmed, doing so is an enigma they can’t answer. However, it makes perfect sense for those who have self-harmed.

Some people who have suffered complex trauma turn to drastic means to lessen their pain. This next series of articles for November is about some of the facts about self-harming behavior, and hopefully, it will give someone out there a glimpse of what is on the other side of this tremendous barrier to health and life.

What is Self-Harm

Self-harm is when someone hurts themselves to deal with challenging feelings such as painful memories and overwhelming situations. Many manifestations of self-harm exist, and many people have their take on what exactly describes it.

Here are some of the ways people describe why they self-harm.

· To change emotional pain

· To change their physical pain

· To reduce overwhelming feelings or thoughts

· To escape traumatic memories

· To punish themselves for their traumatic experiences

· To reconnect after they feel numb and dissociated