Conditions
Self Harm
Self-harm occurs when someone deliberately injures themselves, usually as a result of depression or low self esteem. It typically manifests itself as cuts or burns on the skin, though it can also include people swallowing dangerous chemicals or misusing drugs and alcohol. People who self-harm usually do it in secret, and they will often try to hide their injuries from others, and the act of self-harming can in turn lower self-esteem further (through visible injuries) which can turn in to a vicious cycle.
Whilst some people self-harm only once, many people do it on a regular basis and it is hard to know just how widespread the problem is. If you are self harming, or suspect that someone you know may be self-harming, then medical attention should be sought immediately, as there is a higher possibility of suicide, either deliberately or accidentally. The physical damage caused by self-harming can be treated with first aid and by A&E if it is very serious, but the medical staff who treat you will need to refer you for a mental health assessment. Go to NHS Choices to find out more about this process.
For more information please use the following links:
Young Minds
selfharm.co.uk
Mind
National Self Harm Network
NHS Choices – Self Harm
Harmless
The Samaritans
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Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I have scars on my forearm/wrist area ontop and around the scars there is numbness and reduced sensation from self harm. When the wounds where made i went through all the layers of skin, through the fat and i think i may have hit a venule or arteriole. This was 7 months ago. I did get it treated at a and e but i didn't tell them i hit something as it was deep within the fat so you couldn't see it unless you moved the fat back and such and i wanted to be out of there as soon as so they sterri stripped me up. Its also quite cold to touch most of the time also and often a bluey purple colour. Can i ever gain sensation back ? And is the cold to touch thing concerning ? I don't want to go to my gp for certain reasons.
i am a self harmer and its the worst thing ever to never hide it i go to a place called cams kids metal health and they ar trying there best to sort me out but they think i could have more problems and am 15
I've self harmed my arms are full of scar's, I did it because I was frustrated, depressed, angry at myself and the feeling of being dead and having no future. I can't say it helped in anyway shape or form, it just added to the huge, huge list of problems I have (I wont go into detail here it's to long and boring). Now i wont go out in public without a really thick jacket/coat with long sleeves (I have tried to wear long sleeve t-shirts before but I never noticed when my sleeves would rolled up and my scars exposed) and that really kills me especially when it's 30oC outside. I do this because I know what people really think, people might be nice to my face but I've heard people call me crazy or mental when they think I can't hear them (hell if I'm honest i used to think the same way). My advise to people who have built up frustrations or anger like myself and who feel the need for a release is to smash something, after all a plate or a cup or whatever can be replaced but when you self harm it's a life sentence.
I used to self harm from the age of 12 to 14 but for a period of time I was able to stop , I'm struggling with an eating disorder which I've had since starting secondary and I'm at my lowest point with this right now and im suffering from severe depression, most days unable to even force myself to get out of bed , I'm ashamed of myself for being this way and angry because I feel I'm just a dissapointment to my parents as I can't seem to sort myself out I've started self harming again and my Btec teacher noticed some of the cuts last week, I've been trying to get help for the last few years but I either get told I'm too young for one place or too old for another or the people I'm referred to say they're sorry but they can't help. Does anyone who has self harmed in the past have any other ways of coping that they now use instead ? This would be a big help
NEVER be ashamed. depression is an illness just like any other. its nothing to be ashamed of or disappointed about. please go back to the doctor and take somebody with you - one of your parents, a friend, a teacher anyone. sometimes you have to demand help. you have to push and push until they do what you want. dont give up. i dont have any special coping mechanisms. distraction helps. punching pillows/writing it all down/art/seeing friends.... be safe x
I'm 14 and i'm self harming i also have alopecia and i sometimes starve myself im really sensitive at times and i can't really talk to anyone i always feel so upset and really horrible about myself i dont know what to do im always in pain but no one believes me and im being bullied
you *need* to reach out to somebody. whether thats a doctor or teacher or your parents or samaritans. please tell someone how you're struggling. if you suffer in silence it'll never get better. bullying is horrible and im sorry that you're having to deal with that x
Well I love my pe teaceer recently told her as I was self harming and she said she knew before She knows how I felt and has helped a lot but keeps flirting I have sexual attractions for Me and need help badly
I'm 14 and I've been self harming for over a year now and I need to know what I can do to help the scars fade. I have bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety which caused me to start cutting. I have over 50 scars and I NEED to know what I can do to help them fade. I no longer self harm and I will never do it again because now I know the long lasting effects it has on my body. Please help.
Vitamin e and wheatgerm cream, however this is not a solution, I am 29 and started self harming when I was 12, I cut everyday for 11 years before deciding to take control of my life and found the strength to stop. However self harm is still with me everyday, I will always be a self harmer however it doesn't have to be that way for u, please please stop now before it takes control of you xx
Im 15 and self harm, I want to stop but I'm afraid that if i go to my doctor they will tell my parents, if I asked the doctor not to say anything would they respect that and not tell them?
Hi emma, im 15 aswell and recently told a trusted teacher at school i didnt want to tell anyone but i plucked up the courage to tell my mom because i knew i needed help. Ever since then i have recieved great help all because i spoke out, dont suffer in silence your an important person and deserve help. I didnt go tothe doctors but im pretty sure they will tell your mum and dad becus it concerns your safety, tell someone you trust prefrebly not a freind because they cant offer you the help you really need.
Unless your a serous danger to you or others they wont tell you parents. I told my gp when i was 12 and they didn't tell my parents so try and find help and don't be afraid.
i self harm myself because i just feel sad because of things that have happened in my life and it takes my mind off it when i selfharm, i engraved my boyfriends initials on my hand because i love him so so so much and i hide the marks away from everyone, all the people i have in my life are my dad and my boyfriend and if my boyfriend and i ever split up i would probably kill myself... and wait for my dad to join me in heaven.
how old are you love? this is no way to live. is there any possibility of you reaching out to a doctor or someone else?
I don't know if I self harm. I pick at things on my arms, and now I have lots of little scabs and cuts. I hate it, but I'm struggling to break the habit. It's my prom at the end of June, and I really want to have clear arms. Any suggestions would be so appreciated, thanks.
skin picking can be part of OCD if its a habit rather than an emotional thing. its worth going to the doctor and trying to get a referral for CBT or something similar.
hi i dont have an answer for this but i do the same thing, i can remember doing it as young as 10 or 11 im now 30 and still do it! i find i do it more when im upset, stressed or angery but i dont really know how it started. i hope u find the will power to stop as my arms, legs and face arnt great and your still young enough to change it getting that bad xx
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