SELF-HARM
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Self-harm is a silent language.
There are different reasons that individuals engage in self-harm. These are often kept private due to experienced embarrassment and shame. For some, engaging in self-harm is a way to express, distract, and/or gain control of painful thoughts, feelings, or experiences. For others, it can be a form of punishment or a way to signal to others that they are in distress. Self-harm is particularly prevalent among teenagers and young adults.
Methods of self-injury include:
- Skin cutting
- Extreme skin scratching
- Biting
- Skin burning
- Breaking bones
- Carving words/symbols on the skin
- Self-hitting or punching/head banging
- Piercing the skin with sharp objects
- Picking at scabs/interference with wound healing
- Pulling out hair
- Inserting objects under the skin
- Ingesting toxic chemicals
Self-harm is often a symptom of other mental health issues.
Some of the struggles that are reported by those who self-harm include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use issues, low self-esteem, and trauma.
Symptoms of self-harm can include:
- Unexplained scars or marks on body
- Fresh cuts, burns, scratches, or bruises
- Having sharp objects on hand
- Frequent bandages
- Wearing long sleeves during warm weather
- Reporting of accidental injuries
- Spending long periods of time in private places (such as a bedroom or bathroom)
- Difficulties in relationships
- Social withdrawal/avoidance
- Behavioral and emotional ups and downs
- Feeling hopeless/helpless/worthless
Self-harm can co-occur with suicidal ideation. Although both of these issues involve psychological suffering they differ in regard to intent: persons who experience suicidal ideation desire a way to end their pain through suicide and persons who engage in self-injury are focused on coping with pain. Self-harm can be a way to avoid suicide. However, as self-harm incidents increase, so does the likelihood of suicide attempts.
There are safer and healthier ways of coping with pain.
Counseling and therapy at Wellness Grove…
Our in-person (outpatient) counseling services are offered in Canton OH (near Akron, North Canton, and Massillon). We also offer telemental health sessions to all Ohio residents.
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