How Do People Self Harm?

People harm themselves in a wide variety of ways, some of which are well-recognised, others less so. Self harm is often highly intentional, but may be less so to the point that the person barely recognises their intentions.

· Cutting arms, legs, soles of feet, genitals, all over

· Stabbing oneself, e.g. with knitting needles

· Burning with cigarette, cigarette lighter, iron, acid

· Scalding with water, oil

· Throwing oneself downstairs

· Smoking tobacco

· Drinking lots of alcohol, binge drinking

· Overeating, binge eating

· Poor hygiene

· Risky sexual encounters, risky sexual behaviour, unprotected sex

· Excessive working

· Excessive exercising

· Protracted periods of inactivity

· Destructive religious practices

Some Meanings Related to Self Harm

The meaning that a person ascribes to their self harming activity is certain to be unique. However, some of these meanings can be categorised, examples of which are given below. Any one self harming instance may have multiple meanings. A person may self harm in different ways to address different meanings.

· Self-pleasure

· Comfort

· Release

· Regaining a sense of control

· Wanting to feel (as distinct from feeling numb)

· Wanting to feel alive

· Replacing an emotional pain with a physical pain

· Focus attention / meaning in life

· Distraction from other issues

· Punishment

· Calling attention to unmet needs

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Peter Hughes: introduction

p.g.h@btinternet.com

This document in all parts is copyright © Peter Hughes from the date of construction given above. Please feel free to make use of them for solely personal purposes. However, should you wish to use them for teaching, training, commercial or other purposes, you are required to ask me first.