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Is someone who self harms also suicidal?

71 Answers
Last Updated: 04/07/2020 at 3:49pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
July 12th, 2016 5:22am
They can be suicidal, but it doesn't necessarily follow. Self harm can mean that they are extremely sad and want someone to notice. They may have difficulty actually asking for help because they are ashamed or scared and the only way they can think of telling people is letting them notice that they hurt themselves. It's a cry for help not only by those who have lost all hope, but also from those who want their situation to get better but do not know how.
SydneySmiles
November 18th, 2014 6:17am
Typically, no. A lot of people have a hard time grasping this concept. Self harming is a form of coping. It's kind of like asking if an alcoholic is trying to kill themselves. That is not their intention. Sadly accidental suicides are quite common for those you self harm, but it doesn't mean that was there intent. I hope this helped clear things up.
Anonymous
May 9th, 2015 11:42pm
Not necessarily. Plenty of people self harm without wanting to kill themselves; self harm isn't indicative that someone is suicidal. And someone can also be suicidal without self harming.
kusuma
October 27th, 2014 9:44am
Both clearly have troubled individuals, who are hurting. But in regards to the ending result, both scenarios are very different. One scenario describes self-harm while the other involves the taking of one’s life. Self-harm is thought to be directly linked with suicide but this isn't the case. The two are actually as different as night and day. Unfortunately the two oftentimes get grouped together because both are infliction of pain and sometimes people who begin with self-harm may later commit suicide. Generally people who self-harm do not wish to kill themselves; whereas suicide is a way of ending life. One significant difference between suicide and self-harm is intent. Simply put, a suicidal person sees no other way out and wants to end his or her life. People who are contemplating suicide are experiencing life stress and possibly depression in which they don't have an escape. Suicide is their attempt to escape pain and suffering, and not burdening loved ones any longer. Suicidal acts usually come from a place of hopelessness, depression and worthlessness.The underlying mindset between someone who is suicidal and someone who self-harms is very different. On the flip side, many people who self-harm view hurting themselves as a way of coping with life. In fact, for some, the self-infliction of pain reassures them they are still alive. This is especially true when they are experiencing emotional numbness or feeling disconnected with the world around them. Plus, self-harming can cause changes in the brain chemistry, which gives the effects of a "rush" and can easily become addictive and highly dangerous.
FlickeringCandle
November 8th, 2014 10:04pm
Sometimes, but not always. Most of the time a self-harmer is just trying to cope, but has no intention of commiting suicide.
beckaboo511
September 15th, 2015 1:16am
No. Just because someone wants to hurt themselves doesn't necessarily mean that they want to take their own life.
Anonymous
April 26th, 2015 7:52am
They can be! I can't speak for everyone, but when I used to self harm I was also suicidal at the time!
erinberry53
May 8th, 2015 4:51pm
Sometimes he or she who self harms is suicidal but not all of the time. Not everyone who cuts or hurts themselves nessecarily wants to end their life completely.
laurapb
November 9th, 2014 3:27pm
It doesn't have to be suicidal too. Most of the times, the people who harm themselves, do it just because doing it makes them feel free in a way, it helps them get rid of pressure. But harming yourself doesn't change anything neither fix things, it's useless. The only that helps is changing manners, opening mind and starting to see the world differently. You are the only one in control of your acts and then only one that can take decisions to change your life.
KatHellsing
July 5th, 2015 8:39pm
No, usually not. Sometimes yes, though. Self-harm is getting temporary emotional relief through physical pain. Suicide is permanent. When its both, the person usually has something else wrong; like bullying, severe depression, eating disorders, exc. But both can be prevented through the right kind of help and support.
Anonymous
March 27th, 2018 2:38am
There is a fine line between self harm and suicidal. Self harming can coinside with people who like to feel the pain that they feel like they should. It doesn't always mean someone is also suicidal.
Anonymous
January 1st, 2018 5:21am
Just because you self harm, you aren’t necessarily suicidal. Many people self injure as a way to reduce stress, or to relieve pain. So, just because you may self harm, it doesn’t mean you’re suicidal.
Anonymous
October 17th, 2017 7:43pm
People who self-harm often have thoughts of suicide (lots of research and anecdotes to support this), but they rarely act on those thoughts. However, it is important to note that people who have attempted or completed suicide commonly have a history of self-harm. Recent theories suggest that self-harm acts as a sort of 'suicide alternative', and lets the person avoid the thoughts that are associated with self-harm and suicide. It is important to hear each person, as research is based on the majority of people, not the unique individual. If we fail to listen to the person who is struggling, we risk missing important information that could, quite literally, serve as a lifeline to that person. If there is any doubt, contact a mental health professional.
ThroughTheStorms
July 20th, 2015 4:39pm
Not necessarily. Self-Harm is a coping mechanism. Suicide can be caused by anything, including self-harm, but not always!
Anonymous
August 11th, 2015 10:53pm
Not necessarily. Self harm can sometimes be described as a way of hurting oneself without committing suicide, as it can provide a feeling of relief for the person.
HealingLotus
May 6th, 2015 2:51am
I wouldn't say so, no. However they can accidentally end their own life. Not everyone who does it, wants to die. Some do it to gain relief, comfort and or punishment.
Anonymous
July 18th, 2016 3:41pm
Not necessarily, a difference between self harm and suicide is whether there is any intent involved. If an individual is suicidal they will view self harming as a way of ending their life. In contrast to this, others may self harm in order to release the stresses in their life and to escape from their feelings.
StayBrave
April 24th, 2015 3:16am
not particularly, a lot of people self harm as a stress reliever or just self harm because they arnt sure how to act out on their feelings.
ClimbingForever1
December 19th, 2017 6:07pm
Not necessarily. The two can be quite commonly linked, but remember that people self harm and are suicidal for different reasons.
Anonymous
June 11th, 2018 5:26pm
No, although self harm is commonly thought to be linked with suicide. Often, self harm is used as a way to take control over ones life
BigSuper
March 6th, 2018 10:07pm
Every situation is different. I know people who have self harmed in the past, and haven’t thought about suicide. And I also know people who have done self harm before and attempted suicide.
Anonymous
February 26th, 2018 7:50pm
yes and no, someone can be suicidal if they self harm but normally this is NOT the case, if they show signs that they are suicidal you should try to ask them if they are ok :)
Wereinthis2gether
March 1st, 2016 12:33pm
No not necessarily, people who self harm tend to use self harm as a release of inner pain, they become addicted to the release of the inner pain- self harm is incredibly dangerous however and should always be taken seriously so it doesn't eventually lead to suicide.
Anonymous
June 27th, 2016 5:36am
Often times, no. Self-harm is commonly misunderstood as a suicide attempt, or a failed suicide attempt. MOST TIMES this is not the case. While there is a correlation between suicide and self-harm (i.e., people who complete suicide often have a history of self-injury), people who self-harm are not usually suicidal. Self-harm does not cause suicide. Always be aware of self-injury and the thoughts and feelings that go with it. Self-injury is clinically referred to as 'non-suicidal self-injury' because someone hurts themselves without the intent to take their own life. Be mindful, though, that suicidal thoughts often come along with self-injury. If you are struggling with self-harm/self-injury of having thoughts of suicide, call a crisis or emergency line or go to your nearest emergency room. There is help available.
AliceInWonderland1997
September 22nd, 2015 11:19am
Not all the time. I used to self harm just to 'get the pain away' but I wasn't suicidal at all. I just thought that cutting would be the best way to stop the pain rather than trying to kill myself.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2016 12:29am
Self harming does not necessarily means being suicidle, a person can self harm and not be suicidle, and one can also be suicidle but not self harm.
Eloquentgraffiti10
September 22nd, 2015 5:04pm
Not necessarily, no. Someone can have the feeling of wanting to hurt themself but no really want to die. they may just want to feel something.
Anonymous
January 25th, 2016 4:27pm
There is a possibility, but no. Self harm is about coping, stress relief and a form of self-punishment.
ItsButterflyLove
January 25th, 2016 4:08pm
Someone who is self-harming doesn't necessary means that this person is suicidal but it is still a mental heath issue and you should concider seing a doctor. And remember: You are beautiful❤
Anonymous
December 22nd, 2015 1:55am
In my opinion yes! Your just slowly killing yourself. Your body is Beautiful. Just remember that someone loves you and you're not alone😘