There are many ways that people self-harm. Cutting or burning the skin and pulling out hair are some forms of self-harming behaviour as are binge drinking, having unsafe sex, not eating and excessive drug taking. There are many others.
We know that someone who self-harms is usually in a state of high emotion and distress. The self-harming behaviour is often an attempt to alleviate this emotional distress. People who self-harm sometimes feel that self-harming is the only way ‘out’ of these feelings.
Some people plan self-harm in advance while, for others, self-harm happens on the spur of the moment. Some people self-harm only once or twice, while others self-harm regularly, often in response to certain events. The events that trigger self-harm vary between individuals. Some people will know what triggers their self-harming experiences while others will have little understanding of what motivates them towards this kind of behaviour.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists estimate that about 1 in 10 young people self-harm. However, self-harming behaviours can be found in people of all ages. Young women are more likely to self-harm than young men, though the reasons for this are unclear.
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The underlying causes of self-harm are complex. There are many reasons why people self-harm and many forms of self-harming behaviour.
Though self-harm is usually about alleviating distressing feelings, the aftermath of self-harm can evoke other feelings like regret, frustration, anger and shame. And self-harm is often a very private and secret experience, rarely shared with anyone else.
All of these factors can make living with self-harming behaviour feel lonely, isolating and upsetting.
Self-harming behaviour is usually treated through counselling and psychotherapy. Medication is not normally used to treat self-harming behaviour.
Our counsellors and psychotherapists have a great deal of experience working with people who self-harm. Time spent with one of our therapists can help those who self-harm understand the underlying causes and triggers of their self-harming experiences. Therapy seeks to find new, healthier ways to express difficult emotions.
Our counselling services are confidential and all discussions in therapy will remain confidential between you and your therapist.
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