Get acquainted with deliberate self-harm, what causes it, and why is it so prevalent amongst the youth of today. Find out more about the symptoms of this condition and how you can help your near and dear ones stay away from this type of behaviour.
Deliberate self-harm: An introductionA survey conducted among undergraduate students revealed that almost 32% of those surveyed engaged in this kind of self-injury. Though this type of behaviour is generally a way to cope with difficult stages of life and not suicidal behaviour, it does require psychological help.
What is deliberate self-harm?
Also known as self-injury, deliberate self-harm is a condition where a person inflicts injuries on himself, mostly in the form of biting, scratching, hitting, cutting or picking at the sores on the skin, mostly done alone.
This type of behaviour is rarely for suicidal purposes and is just a way of coping with hard feelings.
Causes of deliberate self-harm
Mostly, the factors listed below may lead to some form of self-injury behaviour in people unable to handle feelings:
- Peer pressure and troubles with social life among teenagers are ranked among the top-most causes of deliberate self-harm.
- Physical or sexual abuse.
- Breakups and love problems.
- Serious health issues or disability.
- Loss or death of a family member or someone close.
- Being bullied by someone at school or being discriminated against.
Signs and symptoms of deliberate self-harm
Almost 80% of self-harm practices involve cutting or stabbing the skin on the body with a sharp object. Burning, self poisoning, hitting or biting oneself are other common ways of self-injurious behaviour.
Those who indulge in this type of behaviour feel that this kind of self injury causes endorphins to release, helping them cope with their pain better.
What if a loved one is indulging in deliberate self-harm?
If someone you know suffers from this condition, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Unresolved feelings and childhood experiences and abuse and other factors that contribute to this condition must be resolved quickly to avoid any further self injurious behaviour.
Psychological counselling and hypnotherapy work miracles in removing fears, dealing with hard feelings and helping you ‘let go’ of emotions that have been bugging you for long.
Photograph via sxc.hu
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Deliberate self-harm – An introduction is a post from: mDhil
