Why do I self harm? It's like an itch that just shows up. I don't know why I do it anymore. I want to stop but I can't.
1 Answers
Last Updated: 09/10/2019 at 7:24pm
Moderated by
Lisa Groesz, PhD
Psychologist
With evidenced based therapies, we find the root of the problem together to implement solutions. We all face crises, transitions, or disorders at some time.
Top Rated Answers
Self harm can become a very addictive behavior after some time. It is a coping mechanism you learned and something you know will help you even if it is just for a moment. It is important to note that with every time you do it you feed this "addiction" and it will become harder to stop. Sometimes skills as rubbing or squeezing ice cubes or flicking a rubber band are explained to be a possible replacement. While it is important to find a suited skill that is adapted to the reason of self harm for a person they can not be an exact replacement and wont make things easy, they might just make it possible at all to stop if the right ones are picked and probably combined as well. It can help to always prolong the episodes of not self harming and there might be some special point where at least the permanent urge will disappear. Now this is easier said than done. It can be very upsetting if people tell you you could stop but don't want to even if you feel like you really can't. However the point here is that you have to be ready subconsciously as well and that is something we can't always affect the way we want to. I can only say keep trying and you will feel when the time is right.
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