Self-harm:

Self-harm can be an effect of rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse.

Self-harm is not just about cutting. Most people self-harm to some degree as it includes all those things that you know are not good for you but you do anyway; like eating to excess, or not eating enough, smoking, drugs and alcohol.

People in all walks of life self-harm - including nurses, parents, royalty, pop stars, teachers.

A way of coping

Self-harm is a way of coping with things that are out of balance in your life.

If the world seems to be against you .... cutting/hurting yourself, eating lots of fatty foods, taking drugs or getting really drunk seems to be a way of being in control of what you do.

These ways of self-harming shut out all those voices that are telling you what to do and all those memories that keep haunting you with whatever is taking over your life.

The physical pain from cutting/hurting yourself can seem to be a relief from the mental anguish of memories of other pains and traumas.

Self harm has been described as expressing an inner scream.

Self-harm can be a way of externally showing the internal pain.

Your life needs balance

But, if you are harming yourself perhaps thinking about trying to rebalance your life before things get out of control may be a way forward as taken to extremes, self-harm can lead to pain or drug or alcohol addiction and death.

Start by being aware of your thoughts and feelings. What happens, what were your thoughts immediately before you start to self-harm? Go over it all in your mind, slow down your remembering and try to focus on what it was that made you want to start to self-harm this time. What are you doing? How do you feel? Then ask yourself - what would I prefer to do next time I feel this way?

Try wearing an elastic band on your wrist that you can pull whenever you feel you are about to self-harm. You are in control of your life. Maybe you can choose how you react and respond differently next time, or even the time after.