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Can self harm be considered a coping mechanism?

36 Answers
Last Updated: 09/05/2018 at 12:28am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Andrea Tuck, LCPC

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I tackle and discuss a multitude of social and emotional health issues. I have a belief that through empowerment and non-judgmental support clients' can thrive.

Top Rated Answers
Chiara900
November 13th, 2014 8:47pm
There is always a reason why someone starts self harming - in most cases youc an say it works as a coping mechanism, some people can't deal with, or express stress, anger or other negative feelings and find help in self harm. That's why it's hard for self harmers to stop, there is a reason why they do it and one has to find another way to deal with those feelings.
FlickeringCandle
November 13th, 2014 1:45am
It is a coping mechanism. However, it is a bad one. Harming yourself helps in the short term, but in the long term it is destructive.
Mariaisabel
November 12th, 2014 5:19am
It is a coping mechanism because you are using self-harm to repress or express an emotion that is difficult to process. But it is a temporary and dangerous way to cope. While other coping activities might seem almost impossible to do during a time of distress (ex: call a friend, paint your nails, go for a walk), give the activities a chance. It can help more than you know.
Pandette
November 10th, 2014 3:01am
I used to think self harm was a coping mechanism, but it wasn't a good one. I feel like self harm is basically like drinking or doing drugs to cope. We are still inevitably harming our bodies and the problem still lingers in the back of our minds. I think a coping mechanism can be either negative or positive. We just choose which ones we should use.
Kristynsmama
November 9th, 2014 12:00pm
Yes, some people consider self harm to be a coping skill. It is not a very healthy coping skill and I believe those that self harm should begin seeking more effective coping skills.
Anonymous
October 29th, 2014 8:40pm
It can be, but it shouldn't be. It's not healthy for the obvious reasons of infection and scarring.