Self Injury and Cutting
Self Injury and Cutting: What is it?
- Intentionally harming yourself, sometimes to the point of breaking skin, bruising, bleeding, or having marks which last more than an hour
- You find that harming yourself is a way of dealing with feelings which are uncomfortable, like “I’m useless at everything” or “I don’t matter to anyone”
- You find that harming yourself is a way of stopping yourself thinking about situations in life that are difficult – like divorce, abuse, alcoholism, or anything else that would want to make you ‘escape’ from the situation
- Feeling an urge or desire to harm yourself, even when you are quiet and calm
If you believe that any of the above scenarios could be you or someone you know, it is important to recognize that self-injury is a problem, but there is help and hope.
It is important to know that your life matters (yes, yours), that you count, and you can make a difference in this world. You do not need to harm yourself or any other person. You are important and you are valued. You do not deserve to put yourself through pain.
You are not alone. There are many others who have gone through self-injury and have found a way to live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life and take care of themselves. If you want to stop cutting, check out our article “I want to stop cutting”
Remember that you are important. Your life counts, and you can make a difference in this world. If you ever need to talk about this or anything else, feel free to get in touch with us. We’re here for you.
Why Do People Self Injure and Cut Themselves?
Below are some reasons that a self-injury specialist named Lindsay has identified as to why teens self-injure.
- You are ashamed, guilty, or afraid.
- Fear of rejection or loneliness; after an argument with your parents about dating or friends, you may feel the fear of being alone.
- You simply don’t have the words to express your feeling of rejection, upset, anger, frustration, loneliness, or hurt. You don’t know what else to do to communicate these feelings.
- Self-injurers are usually very intelligent and hypersensitive to the world around them; usually, they will take words from others more seriously and take them to heart. This is a way of coping with those feelings.
There are ways to deal with your problems which are safer and healthier than self injury. If you want to stop cutting, check out our article “I want to stop cutting” for some suggestions. Remember, you are important and your life counts. You don’t need to hurt yourself in order to gain control. You are worth so much.
Also visit our friends at the site www.sioutreach.org where you will find helpful coping tips and more resources.
You can make a difference in this world. If you ever need to talk about this or anything else, feel free to get in touch with us. We’re here for you.
I Want to Stop Cutting
If you are a self-injurer and want to stop, ask yourself: Why do I want to stop? What affect does self-injury have on my life? It is so important to recognize that growing beyond self-injury is a process and it takes dedication and hard work, but you can do this. You can do this because you deserve it.
The method you use to injure yourself isn’t as important as recognizing that you do injure yourself, and what impacts it can have on your life.
We want you to know that there is hope, and there is help available to you today.
You are so important, and valued – you do not deserve to put yourself through pain.
Remember, this is not in place of counselling – you still need to seek some professional support. If you need a hand in finding a local counsellor, get in touch with YLC – we can connect you to someone in your area. Always remember that you are in control of this; this is not in control of you.
We trust in you and know that you can do this! Even if you come from a life of abuse, neglect, and have had horrible things happen to you… you can change how your future turns out. Respect yourself, and your body. You don’t deserve the pain you are causing to your body: you deserve so much more.
You can and will rise above this because the most important thing is that you deserve to live and be happy!
No matter what… you are special and your life is important.
You can make a difference in this world.
Visit our friends at Self-Injury Outreach and Support
Remember that you are important. Your life counts, and you can make a difference in this world. If you ever need to talk about this or anything else, feel free to get in touch with us. We’re here for you.