The Myths Vs The Facts
Recovery Month Forum Hunt: Emotions
There are lots of facts and there are many myths that are attached to self-harm. The myths and misunderstandings arise when self-harm is not fully understood. These negative stereotypes can be very powerful. These stereotypes need to be changed because this can stop someone who is self-harming reach out for help. So what are the facts and the myths? Lets take a little look!!
The Myths VS The Facts:
Myth: "Only 'emos' and 'goths' self-harm!"
Fact: There is no such thing as a typical person who self-harms. It can affect anyone, it doesn't matter about their: age, background, gender, sexuality or race. This is one of the biggest stereotypes there are surrounding self-harm.
Myth: "It's just a phrase - they'll get over it and stop doing it!"
Fact: Some people self-harm on a regular basus, however, some people only do it once or occasionally. Some people self-harm because it is part of them coping with a difficult situation. Others self-harm for years, and whenever certain kinds of pressures and problems arise, they self-harm. This can become habitual behaviour for some individuals. Telling someone to "just stop it!" could potentially alienate them further. This could lead to them finding more dangerous methods of self-harming, and this then leads to them feeling guilty about not being able to stop, this then adds pressure on the individual, and they may feel like a failure.
Myth: "They're just doing it for attention!"
Fact: People who self-harm can go to great lengths to cover up their injuries. Many people who do self-harm don't talk to anyone about what they are going through. It can be very hard for people to find the courage to ask for help. Some people, self-harming is not for attention or to attract the attention of others. Many people deal with this in private and then cover up, by using clothing. They are often unaware on the effetcs of self-harming has on others. The whole stereotype of people self-harming for attention can lead to very negative stigma.
Myth: "People who self-harm want to take their own lives!"
Fact: Some people who self-harm see it as a way of staying alive and coping with the difficulties they are facing. For many, self-harm is not about inflicting physical pain, but dealing with emotional pain. There are other types of self-harm that doesn't involve suicide. This is known as NSSI (Non-Suicidal Self Injury). This is when someone self-harms, but without the agenda to end their own life. If self-harm is not fully understood, people can view it as a suicide attempt. However, some people who self-harm can feel suicidal and might attempt to take their own life. This is why it must be taken seriously!
Myth: "People who self-harm must enjoy it!"
Fact: Some people believe that other people who self-harm take pleasure in the pain or the risk. There is no evidence that people who decide to self-harm feel pain any differently to you and me. The harming behaviour often causes some people great pain. Some people describe self-harm as a punishment.
Is there anymore myths vs facts that you can think of that surround self-harm?
(Last updated: 16/06/18 at 23:14pm)
(Last updated: 02/08/18 at 12:31pm to make the font bigger)
@Raspberrycheesecake
I really like this, it's good to see something like this being posted :) If I think of anymore myths I'll let you know :)
Hey @wonderfulHart1330! Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I look forward to see what myths vs facts you come up with! 
@Raspberrycheesecake
Hi there,
I am glad that you posted this.
So more people know the true facts
about Self Harm.
I support you!! 😊😊😊😊!!
Nice to meet you!!
Hey there @GuardianAngel77!! Its lovely to meet you!! Thank you so much! 
@Raspberrycheesecake
I think Self Harm can be more than just physical injury or cutting. There are a lot of other ways to harm yourself.
Hey @MaschaV, thank you for taking the time to read the post!
I completely agree with you. 
There are other ways of self-harm than cutting and physically injuring yourself. This is known as NSSI (Non-Suicidal Self Injury). If you would like to discuss this more, feel free to PM me or browse a listener >>>CLICK ME<<<
@Raspberrycheesecake
Thanks for the offer. The threshold is still a bit high. I might take you up on your offer another day.
I do think it is a good post and important too.
Hey @MaschaV!
You are very welcome for the offer. The offer will always stand! Thank you so much for your kind words, it means a lot to me.
@Raspberrycheesecake
I will look that up, thanks!
@Raspberrycheesecake hi! thank you for your post, seems very fact-based / objective which is a good thing. i would like to hear your opinion on what other ways (besides cutting or typical physical self-harm) of self-harm may exist??
for example, does trichillomania count as self-harm? does eating binges (for someone who knows the liver is working too much) count as self-harm? does self-sobotagge in different ways or simple procrastination counts as self-harm when it makes you feel so guilty?
Finally someone said this!! Thank you raspberry cheesecake for posting this. Everyone needs to know this.
You are very welcome @black1995!
@Raspberrycheesecake
I've read somewhere that self harm arises from harsh self judgements (ie self-blame or shame after an assault). I can see that as a possible reason. Is it the sole reason or are there also other reasons?
@humorousBeing8966
While it is a reason, it's not The only reason that people self harm. The actaul reasons can vary greatly from person to person. A generalized statement for me would just be an overload of emotions that current coping methods cannot handle.
@Akor1
I think I self harm to punish myself or escape. Maybe the escaping comes from the need to punish myself. Is that a thing?
If I figured it out that means all will be fine though right? Actually I don't think so.
Myth: "People who self-harm must enjoy it!"
Fact: �Some people believe that other people who self-harm take pleasure in the pain or the risk. There is no evidence that people who decide to self-harm feel pain any differently to you and me. The harming behaviour often causes some people great pain. Some people describe self-harm as a punishment.
I understand that the writer of this post was attempting to dispel myths about self-harm, but I am concerned and disappointed that this has been pinned on the self-harm forum for so long because this proclaimed myth is actually TRUE for many people who self-harm.
I am somebody that has self-harmed for over a decade, and self-harm has been something that has consistently given me pleasure, despite the permanent scarring left behind. In the agony of the cut, there is always a period of time where I breathe, smile, and feel alive.
The American Psychological Association even put out an article (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/07-08/self-injury) addressing scientific studies done on self-harm, and experts and researchers have found evidence that people who self-harm return to that unhealthy coping mechanism because they are tapping into a mechanism that gives them relief.
On the other hand, yes there are people who do use self-harm as a punishment, but this article is ignoring the many people, like me, who experience a release of tension and euphoria from harming themselves.
@PeacePink
I'm glad this has been said. I feel this way too, and I was worried that something was wrong with me. For me, it's a mix of both enjoying it and hating it.
@PeacePink Absolutely! I could not agree more.