Why do people Self Harm?

[thornpetal]

I just don't get it to be honest. Why would you inflict pain on yourself to take pain away from you? Why do people do this if they're not suicidal?

 

[sancsuinet]

its something ive done on and off whether i am actively suicidal or not. its an urge. it gives you something to take care of, a way to feel like you can fix yourself, bandage it up and be okay. or at least thats how ive always thought about it, overall, sometimes its different, it grounds me when i feel like my body isnt mine or is physical punishment for myself, the reasoning depends how healthy i am at the time.
i dont speak for anyone else but this is my take on it.

 

[bloberta]

idk it just kinda helps me cope by making my emotional pain physical. also i kinda like the blood and scars.

 

[unhealthylonelyfrea]

people inflict pain on themselves via different methods, binge video gaming, self-neglect(no showers, no cleaning, .. etc), drinking, ending relationships and so on, people do weird stuff when they are depressed

 

[Worndown]

Desparation.

 

[thornpetal]

Thank you for your responses. I'm sorry you all feel the need to do such an act and I hope things will improve for you.

Another question, do you just, grab a tool or do it? Do you just start slicing like that? Or do you have to mentally prepare yourself?

 

[SpiderLink]

I just don't get it to be honest. Why would you inflict pain on yourself to take pain away from you? Why do people do this if they're not suicidal?

It's a way of coping, not the healthiest. But sometimes, feeling numb, and u wanting to feel something so u inflict harm onto yourself. It can feel like a relief. I don't do it as much as I used to, but I'll do it here and there. Plus I'm around people often and I don't get the chance to. Also to have a sense of pain that you can control. But everyone's view on it is different as to why. I've always had this thought that I wouldn't live long enough to live with the scars for the rest of my life, like my body has never mattered if I'm dead. Self harm can be an addition too, so it can be hard to stop. For those struggling with it, and this works for me, do something to keep your mind focused on something like a video game that requires a lot of attention. I'm not gonna say it'll work all the time, but it prevents u from doing it. It's simple, but distraction for me, is my best way of coping with my pain.

Thank you for your responses. I'm sorry you all feel the need to do such an act and I hope things will improve for you.

Another question, do you just, grab a tool or do it? Do you just start slicing like that? Or do you have to mentally prepare yourself?

Self harm can be multiple things, for me, it's cutting. I use silly things to cut with, I don't want to give ideas tho.

 

[thornpetal]

Ah I didn't realise these were all forms of self harm! Thank you for educating me

 

[scamper]

I can see why it's confusing for some people. Even though I have self-harmed before, I don't really understand how it works myself. If I'm in a state of panic, seeing myself bleed and messing with the blood just calms me down for some reason.

 

[fallenangel444]

i mainly do self harm to distract myself sometimes when i got an overwhelming feelings or thoughts i tend to cut my wrist to feel the euphoria it give me like a peace for some reason feels like all my problem is gone for a while

 

[FuneralCry]

I don't self harm, it's not my thing, existing is harmful enough without causing harm to myself but I believe that it's a coping mechanism for many people, it offers some kind of relief.

 

[justastranger]

For some reason when you sh, it makes you feel better. Like A LOT.

Thank you for your responses. I'm sorry you all feel the need to do such an act and I hope things will improve for you.

Another question, do you just, grab a tool or do it? Do you just start slicing like that? Or do you have to mentally prepare yourself?

Sometimes when you are about to do it you start thinking "Should I do this?" We think that because it's basically an addiction, and doing it again would make it even more addicting. Sh also comes in other forms, it's the act of hurting yourself intentionally.