My self harm scars hurt when I’m angry, upset, stressed or would have self harmed, why?
3 Answers
Last Updated: 12/14/2020 at 6:44pm
Moderated by
Lindsay Scheinerman, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
My work with clients is to help them recognize and build on their strengths to find solutions for the conflicts presented in their lives.
Top Rated Answers
This could be a reactive sensation - your mind is 'used' to turning to that behavior when those emotions come up, so wether it does or doesn't end in self-harming, the sensation comes. Almost as if your body is preparing for it. I once read someone describe it as a 'ghost feeling'. If you notice in which emotions/situations it tends to happen more, that's a good step! It can also be a way to check-in and be 'self-aware' wether something has triggered you and if so, what.
Not everyone will experience this, and even those that 'may' experience same sensation, may feel it on different ways. But you're not alone. This can also be an experience you have as you go through recovery and slowly 'disappear' or become less intense/frequent.
This may be because in your brain these emotions you are feeling are associated with self harms, therefore sending nerve signals to your body and simulating the same pain you would inflict on yourself when feeling that way.
The fact that your self harm scars hurt when you would have self harmed and when you are angry, upset, stressed, means that your body informs you that it doesn't want that you self harm anymore. It wants that you give up on self harm. Can you maybe consider giving up on self harming? Are there any organizations which can help you giving up on self harming? They can help alleviate your issues with self harming and also issues which led you to self harming. Can you maybe consider getting help in local support group or something similar for example?
Related Questions: My self harm scars hurt when I’m angry, upset, stressed or would have self harmed, why?
why does cutting make me feel better but then bad afterwards?I harm myself on purpose. I never do it because I need to cope, I do it because I like the pain and like to have something on my body. I know I should stop, but I don't want to. Why is that?Does cutting for only a few months and stopping make me any less of a self-harmer?How do I explain scars when a young child asks about them?What do I say to people that ask about my scars without making them uncomfortable?How to deal with self-harm alone?Why do some wounds turn purple?Is scratching yourself with a paper clip on purpose considered self harm when you don’t bleed?Whenever I bandage myself with rolled gauze I can never get it tight enough, so it always ends up slipping off. I want to be able to bandage myself properly. Any tips?If I don't have a bandage big enough to cover a cut what else can I use?