Self-Harm

When someone tells you they self-harm, your reaction matters. They may already feel ashamed, frightened, embarrassed, or worried that you will judge them. You do not need to have the perfect response. What usually matters most is staying calm, taking them seriously, listening without judgment, and helping them get the right support. What to Say […]

Self-harm can become a cycle because it may provide temporary relief from something difficult: intense emotion, shame, anger, racing thoughts, numbness, self-criticism, or feeling out of control. When the relief comes quickly, the brain can begin learning to return to the same behavior the next time distress becomes intense. Breaking the cycle is not only

A self-harm urge usually does not appear for no reason. Even when the reason is difficult to identify, the urge may be trying to accomplish something: reduce emotional pain, punish you, create control, interrupt racing thoughts, express anger, escape a situation, or make distress visible. That is why simply asking, “How do I stop self-harming?”

Self-harm is often misunderstood as someone simply wanting to hurt themselves. In reality, the behavior usually serves a psychological purpose. A person may be trying to escape overwhelming emotions, punish themselves, interrupt numbness, regain a sense of control, or communicate distress they do not know how to express. Self-harm does not always mean someone wants

When people hear “self-harm,” they often immediately think of cutting. But self-harm can take many forms. At its simplest, self-harm means deliberately hurting or injuring your own body. It may happen with or without suicidal intent, and the reasons behind it can vary greatly. The behavior matters, but so does the intent behind it. Not