Can self harm be considered a coping mechanism?
36 Answers
Last Updated: 09/05/2018 at 12:28am
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Top Rated Answers
In my personal point of view it can. Self harm can make your head clear again, can help you to focus or to calm down.
Anonymous
October 6th, 2014 4:07am
Yes, but it isn't a healthy one, it's the same as abusing alcohol or drugs. It's only a temporary, and very risky, solution.
Anonymous
October 24th, 2014 8:52pm
Yes, Self harm is a way of handling things...it might not be the best one for reasons such as: 1-taking care of wounds/ posible infections, 2- posibility off it turning into an addiction, 3-negative perception by some/seen as suicidal behavior, and some others I can't remember now. Still its important that you try to not blame yourself or be too hard on yourself for thing, often we are just trying to deal with things the best way we can and self harm at some point seemed like a good option. Yet I do recomend that you try and consider some healthier mechanisms for coping, we are here for you and you can reach out to us whenever you want to help you find alternatives or a way to address the issue that makes you feel the need to self harm.
It is a coping mechanism, but not a good one. While it helps you cope at the time, it is not a long term fix and it is dangerous and addictive. There are thousands of better ways to manage your feelings.
Anonymous
October 28th, 2014 6:16am
Technically yes, it is. But it is a negative coping mechanism. There are positive and negative coping mechanisms.
Yes, however, it is a destructive coping mechanism, which means that it doesn't solve the conflict. Another constructive coping mechanism would be talking to a listener on 7 Cups of Tea!
Anonymous
July 21st, 2015 2:03pm
Self harm is considered a negative coping mechanism, try replacing it with a much more positive way of coping.
Yes, self harm is a coping mechanism. It is considered a negative (or maladaptive) coping mechanism.
Negative coping mechanisms will usually give immediate emotional and/or stress relief in the short term, but will cause more problems in the longer term. For example, self harm can be an emotional release in the short term, but more stress is caused in the long term with feeling the need to hide scars.
Positive coping mechanisms on the other hand help to relieve stress in both the short and long term. Some examples of positive coping mechanisms would be colouring, journaling, taking a bath/shower or exercising.
Self harm is a coping mechanism, yes. However, it is not a good one. Reason being is that it tends to add a ton of problems to what you are going through, rather then making them dissapear. For example) hiding scars, feeling the pain, guilt from lying about the marks, and many more
Self-harm is should be considered a coping mechanism, most cases of self harm are not suicidal but an attempt to have control over the pain they may feel. However not all self harm is in the persons self control genetic factors can also play a part such as Lesch–Nyhan syndrome in cases such as this it becomes an uncontrollable body function. Self-harm is destructive but it doesn't change the fact that it is a method of coping with emotions distress.
Anonymous
June 7th, 2016 2:58pm
No? Yes and no, dies it help people cope, yes, is it a good coping mechanism and is it reliable, no. Not at all.
Yes, but I don't think it's a healthy coping mechanism. I think there are healthier ways to cope, all you have to do is find them.
Well yes, but it isn't healthy. It's one of the worst coping mechanisms, but I see why people do it.
Yes it is considered a coping mechanism, but not one anyone should consider. It takes alot for someone to want to turn mental pain into physical pain but you have to remember that mental pain will go, but physical scars will not.
Yes self-harm is a coping mechanism although you should not use this yourself as a coping mechanism. There is a difference between mental and physical pain, mental pain can be curable most of the times, but scars aren't.
Anonymous
April 10th, 2017 6:42am
I suppose that some people might feel like it's a good coping mechanism, but it is definitely not a healthy way to cope with whatever problems they may be facing.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2017 5:59am
Self harm is a coping mechanism in and of itself. However, it is not the healthiest coping mechanism. Right now for you it may be what you need to cope with everyday life. Seeking out other help and ways to cope is ideal. Seeing a doc or therapist, talking to friends, or reaching out to teachers are great ideas. A doctor or therapist will be able to help with different coping mechanisms that are healthier than self harm. Take care of yourself and know that you are valued
Self harm is technically a coping kechanism, but like most coping mechanisms, it accomplishes nothing but short term relief. Unlike most coping mechanisms, it could lead to you seriously harming yourself. If you are having trouble with self harm, you need to get help as soon as you can before anything awful happens.
Anonymous
March 5th, 2018 5:54am
Absolutely not. I've been self harming since I was 10 years old. I'm 15 now (turning 16 this month) and I'm still doing it. its a disease and its incurable and it's got to be controlled. it encourages too much bacteria, too many risks, and overall, just not healthy.
Anonymous
July 2nd, 2018 5:13pm
yes. it can very much be considered a coping mechanism, but it is not a healthy mechanism and if you are suffering with it or know someone who is then you should reach out and get some help.
Self-harm for most people is a coping mechanism. A way of dealing with the built up anger, any hate, memories and things out of their control. It's used for a lot of drastic reasons that mostly lead to a coping mechanism. Some people just enjoy pain sometimes.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2015 10:31am
Self harm is definitely a coping mechanism! It's a way of handling painful or negative things that happen in our life, which makes it a coping mechanism. The trouble with self harm is that it's a negative coping mechanism, which means it doesn't make the situation any better. It adds more overall pain and difficulties to your situation. That's why, when you're recovering from self harm, it's so important to not just stop self harming but to also replace self harm with a positive coping mechanism that helps you in the situations that make you want to self harm.
It can. Often times people who self harm are trying to find a way to deal with things that are happening to them, or attempting to deal with emotions (or even the lack of emotional feeling).
In a way, yes. In another way, no. Self harm is done as a distraction. People are afraid to feel the emotions they feel about a particular thing so instead of facing them, they distract themselves with self-harm. Its more of a distraction, rather than a way of coping :)
Yes. Self-harm is a coping mechanism, but a really bad one. No one should have to through that. There are alternative ways of coping, though. Find something that works for you and keeps your mind off things.
Yes, it is a coping skill, but it is unhealthy. Explore healthier alternatives such as squeezing ice cubes (to provide pain) or writing out your feelings for a release. There many others, and feel free to talk to me if you want to know more!
Yes. Slef harm can be a very unhealthy oping mechanism, however, which is why here at 7 cups we can provide self help guides and techniques that will lead you to better coping mechanisms.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2014 11:24pm
Yes, self-harm is considered as a coping mechanism, but it is wrong to self harm, there are many other alternatives to cope with stuff without hurting oneself
It is often used as a coping mechanism, but by no means is it a healthy or positive one like those that are encouraged by mental health professionals. It is not technically one because it doesn't work or benefit you in the long run.
Anonymous
November 13th, 2014 11:06pm
It can be considered a coping mechanism but personally I feel there are more ways to cope, and it is okay to ask for help if you need help, You are not alone!.
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