Self harm. Is it ever ok?

Question

Ok, I dont want people to go freeky on me, write lots of stupid abusive stuff and I am not giving an opinion about this issue whatsoever. I just am interested to hear if people ever think that self harming is ok to do? And the question is open for your interpretation anyway (ie what do I mean by 'ok'). Its just curiosity! No judgements stuff here please. Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't think it's ever ok and I think prevention is better than cure. But saying that, when a majority of people self harm it's not thought out, it just happens.

It was in the paper a couple of months ago that hospitals were thinking of introducing a scheme where if people felt the need to self harm then they could go to hospital and do it in a safe clean environment.
For me, I guess that is better than sitting at home with unsteralised tools. On the other hand though, it could be seen as the medcical profession condoning self harm.

I was a self harmer for 5 and a half years and the amount of damage I have done to my skin and the scars I have is irreversible but I don't regret it now because it's a part of me and I came out the other side of it. There are many who don't and go too far.

Ignoring the problem won't make it go away. I guess some people in this world like to think that it doesn't happen and just become ignorant to the fact that it does. Turning a blind eye won't make the problem disappear. It will still be there, whether they like it or not.

I don't think self harm is ever ok but I think more people in society should learn to accept that it happens instead of calling a person "emo" just because they happen to self harm.
Not all emos self harm and not all people who self harm are emo. Society needs to learn that. Self harm is a serious issue and people aren't getting the help they need for fear of being branded a stereotype which they are not.

If there was a better understanding of self harm in the world then more people would get help before it got too bad. The sad thing is that there isn't a better understanding and a lot of people get help when the damage has already been done.

Sorry for the long reply :)

xx

Answer 2

This is just my point of view as a person that has self harmed a lot in the past. Now have it under control most of the time. I have to say no its not alright to do but and its a big but when I do self harm its because I can not take anymore of the emotional pain so in my mind its between self harm or suicide so if you look at it that way its the better option of the two and in that way would say its OK but only on the grounds that its do it or end my own life. Hope you understood all of that. oh and clearly anyone that is going through self harming needs to seek out help from a doctor.
take care

Answer 3

Self-harm is a form of stress-release when things get too much. I'm a self-harmer and it's a subject that's too complicated to go into here in detail. If it's a way of averting suicide then I'd say that there are times when self-harm is ok. In fact, it's a life saver in a way. However anyone who does this regularly is in obvious need of help. One website I'd recommend is the National Self-Harm Network website, where it's possible to get support during the difficult times. I've posted the link below. I hope it helps.

Answer 4

Try reading Red Tears by Joanna Kendrick. It's all about self harm and it can be vey triggering, but I've heard that it's helped a lot of people get through some really **** times. My best friend self harmed for years and it really upset me that she wanted to do it to herself. Reading the book helped me to understand why she did it, but I've been told it's also given self harmers great perspective on their situation.

Answer 5

In short, yes (just my opinion). I have self injured for around 15 years (I`m 26 now), I have cut and burned myself quite badly, and am absolutely disgusted by my scars. BUT, it can be a helpful coping strategy for some people. Personally, I kinda dissociate while I`m cutting, etc and am totally unaware of it and powerless to stop it as I do it. I spent years trying (and failing miserably) to stop. I have been "punished" for doing it and "rewarded" for not doing it over the years, thanks to Cognitive Behavioural therapy`s (too big) impact on mental health treatment within the NHS in the UK. I believe I self injure for a reason, and although I am unaware of that reason; it is probably closely linked t my PTSD and Anorexia. If there were a way to self injure minus scarring, it`d be ideal since the scars have been my biggest issue linked to self injury.
Who does`t self harm somehow, at some point in life anyway? Some people choose to smoke, abuse both illegal and legal drugs, drink alcohol to excess, eat too much or too little, exercise too much or too little, maintain abusive relationships and many more obviously "inappropriate" ways of life. People do these things for many reasons, but are pretty much accepted. Self injury is extremely misunderstood but is, in many ways less damaging than many of the more socially acceptable ways of deliberately harming oneself.

Answer 6

Yes - if it is stopping you from doing something worse, like trying to kill yourself (assuming the self harm itself is not a suicide attempt).

I think if it comes to a choice of either self harming or killing yourself, then it's ok to self harm.

But in saying that, I think anyone who self harms seriously needs help to understand all the underlying problems they have, and to eventually in time be able to get to a point where they never feel the need to self harm.

Answer 7

When people self harm, it is because they have no where else to turn (unless they are doing it for attention, which is an entirely different story) so if it is what keeps them sane then I guess it ok, it isn't ok but if the situation is such that they have no other choice, then so be it.

I used to have no where to release the hate for myself and everyone around me so I used to cut and pierce my skin with safety pins but I stopped when I got this idiot roommate- now i just lash out at her instead of myself. So I guess it is either one or the other.

You can't just say "yeah, its ok if you hurt yourself" but if it is what gets you through the day.....

Answer 8

I have self-harmed in the past and because I REALLY need (and want) a gastric bypass I have had to curb it. I have found things a bit tough as it's a behaviour I learnt to do in order to deal with mental and emotional pain. I can see the benefits of self-harm, it helps to get temporary relief from emotions, but I also have the scars to live with and the judgement of others.

Answer 9

Our skin is beautiful so why would anyone scar themselves?
Self harming for me is weak. Anyone can easily pick up anything to cut themselves to stop the emotionaly pain they are feeling. But, to be able to endure your emotional pain and suffering, that's strength. I am not judging anyone who has issues cutting themselves and I definitely do not think they are freaks or w/e. I just hope they start believing they are worth it and they will be a victor than a victim.

Answer 10

self harm is in a weird way a pretectative measure- it stops us becoming absolutly desperate.. you find it in people and animals with no other outlet for mental or physical pain.

its not the best way of dealing with things- but those who do it- have no other way.. they need to learn.

if you have never self harmed- my personal opinion is- don't.. its addictive and it eventually becomes just another horrible problem amongst the others.