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Why stop self harming?

24 Answers
Last Updated: 05/04/2020 at 10:48pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Andrea Tuck, LCPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

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
Miracle
January 9th, 2015 10:20am
There are a number of reasons to stop self harming but I think that in my view at least self harm is more of a symptom of distress and stopping self harming or even finding the motivation to while underlying emotions and difficult situations remain the same will be very hard. However this does not mean you cannot find reasons not to but for many people these reasons will be unique, although in answer to this question a few common ones might be 1.Risk ( either from infection -with some forms of self harm, doing more damage than you intend, and well I am sure you now get the picture). 2.Prolonging the time you take to stop may make it harder as it becomes a learnt behaviour and you rely on it more as a coping mechanism.(so stopping now might make it easier than in the future). 3.The effect on others (ok this is a controversial point but when other people know you are self harming as much as I would hope they would support you it can be very distressing for them as well). 4.Chance to have better coping mechanisms that you can use more openly (this is using the assumption that the majority of your self harming behaviour is done privately but you might find that you are able to develop coping mechanisms that allow you to live a 'calmer' life because they can be used in more situations or even socially -such as listening to music. 5. Body image -this is not a concern for everyone but some people believe self harming if the method results in scarring can negatively effect their self esteem and ability to socialise and be open with other people.For example limiting the options for activities which would otherwise be enjoyable such as swimming or Tennis.
shaquilleoatmeal
June 29th, 2015 11:32pm
You do not deserve the paint you are inflicting upon yourself. You are not responsible for any of what you are going through. Self harming will not do any good but finding alternatives like jounraling, venting,drawing, anything that doesn't involve hurting yourself or others. Find a support system like a school counselor or a best friend.
Randy1
March 20th, 2015 7:08pm
If you are asking why you should stop self harming, one of the reasons is that self harm can be dangerous. cutting, for example, can lead to infections or worse. Some people who harm themselves want to feel pain. If that is the case, get yourself a piece of ice and hold it in your had as long as you can. It will be painful but it will not have any lasting damage.
Anonymous
September 15th, 2015 4:24pm
Self harming is a coping mechanism. No one deserves to have scars on their body, or deserves to think that they do. There are so many different ways to cope with depression, eating disorders, anxiety, ect. Choosing one that doesn't hurt yourself can not only be more helpful, it'll also be so much better in the long run. I used to self harm a lot when I was younger. Now, I'm not depressed anymore but I still feel sad every time I look at my body and see the scars. You deserve happiness and to be healthy:)
CaringDemon6
September 22nd, 2015 1:51am
The longer you go without self harming, the better you will feel about yourself, and the better you feel, the less you may need to self harm and so on. You can put your mind to other things instead of constantly thinking about your addiction to self harm. You will no longer have to worry about the harsh judgement of others regarding your self harm, and the feelings that go along with being judged. You will be a stronger person because of stopping, letting go of an addiction is an extremely difficult thing to do and is something to be proud of. It will teach you to look at things in a different way when it comes to coping with problems. Many people take up a new hobby of some sort to keep their mind distracted. You will no longer feel the need to hide from others, keep secrets and push people away. You will know that you have stopped for yourself and not to please other people.
Theonlylight
June 4th, 2015 8:19pm
Self harm is stupid as you are destroying your own body. You need to think. Your body is like a car, if you cut the tire, how can it drive?
ang0815
May 4th, 2020 10:48pm
I believe that self harm is a way to relieve stress and pain. but it is only temporarily. There is other ways that can help you in th long run. remembr that theres people to talk to. When you self harm you may think its helping you at least for that moment but that pain your feeling will still be there. Learn how to manage it talk to someone. rememebr that your not alone. Talking to someone is he gretest thing you can do. You create a support system and its good that you will never be alone. Dont give up !
fancyLove93
May 2nd, 2017 3:43am
Self harm can be addicting and sometimes even fatal. Your body is a temple and you should treat it with care and love. There are other ways to relieve pain you are feeling. I have heard of someone who draws on them self instead of cutting and they found it to be very therapeutic and healing. Self harm leads to a darker path and you can always call for help in a different manner.
Heretohelp2000
February 22nd, 2016 1:02am
Your body is a home that you live in for an entire life time. Would you want to destroy and vandalize your home?
Aster17
December 29th, 2015 1:50pm
Self harm leaves bruises. Think about when you grow up do you want people seeing and asking about it. I know it may seem like it's the only way to calm down or something, but it's only temporary. Hurting yourself doesn't make problems go away it won't fix you it's the opposite it can make you feel even worse later. There's so much ways you can help yourself feel relieved and calmed not by hurting yourself. Talking to someone is one of the ways. You need to understand your feelings and not make them take over you. Deal with them step by step it takes time.
Anonymous
December 14th, 2015 1:28am
Self harming may seem like the answer but in all cases it's not. If you seek the advice and the professional help you'll feel alot better things do get better. Youll feel more confident you'll fell happier
HappyPlaces
May 28th, 2015 1:33pm
Its a safety precaution, mostly, if you do something wrong, cut to deep, overdose way to much, burn a significant artery, or starve your self to to death.
RecklessMinds99
October 3rd, 2016 2:48am
You should stop self harming because it's nothing but a distraction from your real pain. Cutting yourself isn't gonna take away what your really feeling. The best way is to deal with it so your a stronger person. You should never resolve to cutting cause it only hurts you more.
YouareWorthyMyFriend
March 3rd, 2020 11:44am
It will not give a solution to your life. Remember that there is still someone who loves you. That is true and final. No one will not love you. You are a conqueror! You may find that you can take all the pain, anger, and worthlessness through more pain but No. I believe that you can stop and start your path on the road to healing. After that I’m sure will see the beauty of life and those around you! You might feel like ending it all but what’s the fulfillment you get. I know you’re sad but a lot go through it too and you are not alone. Where ever you are I CARE FOR YOU.
Anonymous
April 26th, 2015 3:50am
Self harm, while it may be beneficial to you in someway at the time, it ruined me now. I cut my stomach for years and now have visible scars that anyone can see aren't stretch marks. I get weird looks but I'm strong in the sense I overcame it. That was a battle that I had to overcome but the permanent marks weren't worth it.
Soarfree
January 18th, 2016 7:36pm
Self harming is not the answer. You can find better alternative such as going to see help. You don't want to be harming yourself for the rest of your life .
RachaelBella152
May 23rd, 2015 11:14am
My counsellor told me to think about summer, and how scarring would look in a swim suit, but she was wrong. It will give you something to feel proud of, the fact that you have all the extra free time to sleep or get a new hobby and it will take away some of the stress of hiding it from those around you.
StayStrongNeverLoseHope
March 27th, 2016 2:43pm
Self harming is typically used as a coping mechanism when one is having a hard time dealing with things. This is understandable, and I understand that people find relief in doing so, but it would also be fair to say that self harming may not always be the best way of coping, due to the fact that it leaves scars, it causes pains, it can be extremely dangerous, it can give you infections and it may make you feel worse. Self harming can be really hard to deal with, some people find it easier to self harm than it is to talk to someone about what they are going through. Everyone is different, and everyone has different ways of coping with things that they are going through. I do however believe that you can find better ways of coping with self harm and there are a variety of things online about it, talking to someone about it as much as it can be scary, it can really help you feel a little better. Counselling may also be good, group therapies and much more out there that you can use will surely make you feel better.
Anonymous
June 6th, 2016 8:18pm
Because you're worth it and why take the time to express with bloody characters when you can be a little more free abandoning your fears of quitting.
royalWatermelon60
April 18th, 2017 10:04pm
Self-harm is unhealthy, although you might diasgree. You body and mind is a gift you should not destroy. You body is your temple, and you should not harm it in order to make your mind fell better. Theres much better options out there
Anonymous
May 8th, 2015 1:57am
I think you should stop self-harming because life is beautiful. Try to focus on the positive things in your life and stop worrying about the negatives. Life is short, don't let it pass you by.
Anonymous
March 12th, 2018 11:04pm
Self harming is not a positive way to release energy and often it can turn into even more destructive behaviour. Furthermore, the longer one self-harms, the farther they tend to go and this can lead to potential dangerous injury. It's important to stay safe, even in low times.
Anonymous
June 30th, 2015 9:36pm
I know self-harming seems to make you feel better, but it can hurt you more than it helps you. There are other problems to cope with your problems, I promise.
Anonymous
July 11th, 2017 12:47am
Self harm is a coping skill that is not really that good for you and depending on the type of self harm could lead to very serious things happening to you, which wouldn't help you situation anymore. It's also better to find skills that are less dangerous and more positive for you.