Self-Harm: Types, Reasons, and Help

Self-harm is a destructive habit that emotionally vulnerable people may use against themselves. It is a complex problem that must be addressed since some self-harm behaviors can be life-threatening. If you have a loved one who is committing acts of self-harm, a compassionate Christian counselor will offer the help and expertise you need to overcome this problem.

The Definition of Self-Harm

Self-harm is defined as any behavior that is an intentional and deliberate injury to one’s own body that causes damage or leaves marks for more than a few minutes. The behavior is used as a coping mechanism against distressing or overwhelming situations. It can be termed as self-injury, self-injurious behavior, self-inflicted violence, or self-mutilation.

Who Commits Self-Injury?

Teenagers are the ones who most frequently struggle with self-injury. Girls are more likely to practice self-harm than boys, and they typically begin the addiction in their early teen years. The behavior can persist into early adult years if left untreated.

Many of those who struggle with self-harm have perfectionistic tendencies. They may be ill-equipped to verbally express their emotions or handle strong feelings. Some of those who harm themselves have low self-worth and dislike their bodies. Those who have severe mood swings may practice self-harm. They may use self-harm as a form of punishment.

A significant number of people with this addiction have been physically or sexually abused. Their self-injury habits may be an easier way to handle their emotions rather than addressing their abusers. Others deal with emotional abuse from broken or alcoholic homes with self-harm behavior.

Types of Self-Harm

Self-harm behaviors range from superficial to severe. The severe types, such as those resulting in permanent disfigurement, are far less common than the more superficial types. Those who commit severe self-harm may castrate themselves or sever their limbs.

Another type of self-injury is the stereotypical form, which is biting, eyeball pressing, head-banging or bone-breaking. But the most common type of self-harm is the superficial form, which includes cutting, burning, picking at skin, hair pulling, hitting, friction wounds, drinking poisonous chemicals, interfering with wound healing, and other measures. We will look at the most frequent examples in detail below.

Cutting Cutting is a type of self-injury that involves making cuts into the skin with fingernails, needles, knives, razor blades, glass shards, bottle caps, or any other sharp object. Sufferers will normally make cuts on arms, legs or the torso because these areas are easy to reach and easy to hide under clothing.

When a person begins cutting, it can become a habit very quickly. The cutting produces a sort of high in the cutter’s brain, creating a sensation that the cutter will want to repeat. The brain is tricked into thinking this behavior leads to a feeling of relief rather than pain. When tension becomes strong, the person will keep cutting even when they don’t want to anymore. Cutting can be a dangerous addiction that ends up controlling the sufferer.

Hair Pulling

Hair pulling, also known as trichotillomania, is a disorder of impulse control. It is an irresistible drive to pull hair from the body, not only including the head. Those who pull hair from their heads may have patchy bald spots. They may hide these under hats or use scarves or hairpieces to cover them up.

Those who suffer from hair pulling may have an obsessive-compulsive disorder. They may lack sufficient serotonin or dopamine in their hormonal systems. They will need to retrain their thoughts and possibly use anti-depressant medication to overcome this disorder.

Picking at Skin

Picking at the skin is also termed dermatillomania. It can involve picking at healthy skin or picking at wounded skin so that it fails to heal. This disorder prompts the sufferer to have a repetitive urge to pick when experiencing stress.

Compulsive skin picking can stem from emotional wounds or other mental disorders. Those who pick skin may feel more in control of their environment when committing self-harm. Though this behavior causes marks, scars and bleeding, it can temporarily provide relief from the sufferer’s overwhelming feelings of insecurity and powerlessness.

Reasons for Self-Harm

The reasons people commit acts of self-harm are complex. If a person is experiencing abuse or neglect, self-harm may be a way of acting out against the injustice. Children who are bullied may use self-harm to cope with the barrage of negative emotions. If a person is dealing with depression or other mental disorders, self-harm may be a symptom of a greater problem.

Most people who practice self-harm say that the behavior makes them feel better. This sounds counterintuitive to a healthy person, but to a sufferer, the pain can feel like a relief. The pain of self-harm can also make a sufferer feel alive when most of the time they feel numb.

An addiction like self-harm takes control over the sufferer so that the sufferer is not fully in control of his or her actions. The sufferer needs professional help to overcome this problem.

A compassionate Christian counselor will be able to help determine the root causes of the self-harm behavior. Until the root causes are addressed, healing is unlikely. It’s important to get in contact with a Christian counselor if you suspect that your loved one is practicing self-harm.

Risk Factors for Self-Injury

Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of self-harm. Your loved one may be at risk for self-harm if any of these factors exist.

•     Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
•     Neglect
•     Mood swings
•     Loneliness
•     Peer pressure
•     Having friends who practice self-harm
•     Strong self-criticism
•     Impulsive tendencies
•     Poor cognitive ability
•     Anxiety disorder
•     Depression
•     Eating disorders
•     Obsessive-compulsive disorder
•     Post-traumatic stress disorder
•     Borderline personality disorder

People who practice self-harm are also more likely to act when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you know that your loved one has any of these risk factors, it’s crucial that you keep watch for any signs of self-harm behaviors, as described below.

Signs of Self-Harm

Your loved one may or may not show obvious signs of self-harm. They may work hard to project a calm demeanor to keep the problem in hiding. However, you can look for signs that self-harm may be a problem. Here are the signs for which you can keep watch:

•     Multiple and unexplained cuts, abrasions, or bruises
•     Patchy bald spots or bleeding scalp areas
•     Bloodstains on bedding, towels or clothing
•     Blood-soaked tissues in the trash can
•     Wearing long sleeves and pants year-round
•     Possession of cutting instruments
•     Isolation
•     Irritability

Even if you have evidence of self-harm, it’s likely that the sufferer will deny any problem. They may create an explanation for bloodied linens that don’t add up. They might claim that their clumsiness or an injury led to bruises. You need to listen to your gut instinct; if something feels wrong about the situation, you must address it despite the sufferer’s denial.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to get professional help as soon as possible. Some acts of self-harm can lead to life-threatening situations, so you can’t afford to wait. A Christian counselor can help you and your loved one deal with these difficult issues.

Help for those Who Self-Injure

Those who commit acts of self-harm are at a higher risk for infection and suicide. If you notice warning signs, you must get help right away. You can literally save your loved one’s life by reaching out for help from a qualified counselor.

Sufferers of self-harm need help to reprogram their thoughts. A counselor may use cognitive behavioral therapy to overcome self-harm habits. This therapy trains the sufferer to recognize trigger feelings, identify habits, and choose different emotions and thoughts. A heightened awareness of the process can then be combined with healthier substitute behaviors for success.

If a mental disorder is also present, the counselor will address all related issues to arrive at a healthy solution. Medication, support groups, and hospitalization may be required in the course of treatment. Since each case is unique, it’s wise to consult with a counselor as soon as you suspect a problem. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we have years of experience helping self-harm sufferers overcome their addictions. Call us today to set up a consultation.