People cope with their emotions in very different ways. Some people cope in unhealthy ways that include deliberate self injury. Some people say they self harm to feel something, to match the inside to the out, and for many more reasons. A common misconception is that cutting is the only form of self harm. Although cutting is the most common many people harm themselves by burning, picking, hitting, scratching, and more. Unfortunately self harm can become an addiction very quickly, and can be quite dangerous. Self harm is becoming more common among young people, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. What makes people self harm? Some people do it to cope with their anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses. Others do it to cope with abuse, relationship problems, feeling bad about yourself, and more.
Warning Signs
- Unexplained frequent injuries like cuts, bruises, or burns
- Unexplained scars
- Wearing long pants and sleeves all the time, even in warm weather
- Low self esteem
- Problems with handling emotions
- Problems handling relationships
Who does it affect?
Self harm can affect anyone, but it is most commonly seen in teenage years among females. Self harm is also more commonly seen in people who have experienced a traumatic event, people who have a hard time coping with their feelings and people with low self esteem.
Statistics
- Each year, 1/5 females and 1/7 males engage in self harm.
- 90% of people who self harm begin in their adolescent years.
- 70% of teens who self harm regularly have attempted suicide once.
- 33% of people who self harm will become addicted.
- 10% of the people on this planet have self harmed.
- 50% of people who injure themselves have been, or are used to abandonment.
- The average age people start self harming is 14.
- Females are more likely to self harm than males.
- Cutting is the most common form of self harm.
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