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Can self harm be considered a coping mechanism?

Profile: trashcat
trashcat on Aug 16, 2016
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In my personal point of view it can. Self harm can make your head clear again, can help you to focus or to calm down.
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Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 6, 2014
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Yes, but it isn't a healthy one, it's the same as abusing alcohol or drugs. It's only a temporary, and very risky, solution.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 24, 2014
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Yes, Self harm is a way of handling things...it might not be the best one for reasons such as: 1-taking care of wounds/ posible infections, 2- posibility off it turning into an addiction, 3-negative perception by some/seen as suicidal behavior, and some others I can't remember now. Still its important that you try to not blame yourself or be too hard on yourself for thing, often we are just trying to deal with things the best way we can and self harm at some point seemed like a good option. Yet I do recomend that you try and consider some healthier mechanisms for coping, we are here for you and you can reach out to us whenever you want to help you find alternatives or a way to address the issue that makes you feel the need to self harm.
Profile: iamjess
iamjess on Oct 31, 2014
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It is a coping mechanism, but not a good one. While it helps you cope at the time, it is not a long term fix and it is dangerous and addictive. There are thousands of better ways to manage your feelings.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 28, 2014
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Technically yes, it is. But it is a negative coping mechanism. There are positive and negative coping mechanisms.
Profile: RelaxingRainfall25
RelaxingRainfall25 on Apr 11, 2015
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Yes, however, it is a destructive coping mechanism, which means that it doesn't solve the conflict. Another constructive coping mechanism would be talking to a listener on 7 Cups of Tea!
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 29, 2014
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It can be, but it shouldn't be. It's not healthy for the obvious reasons of infection and scarring.
Profile: Kristynsmama
Kristynsmama on Nov 9, 2014
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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.
Profile: Pandette
Pandette on Nov 10, 2014
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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.
Profile: Mariaisabel
Mariaisabel on Nov 12, 2014
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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.
Profile: FlickeringCandle
FlickeringCandle on Nov 13, 2014
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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.
Profile: Chiara900
Chiara900 on Nov 13, 2014
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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.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 13, 2014
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It can be considered a coping mechanism but personally I feel there are more ways to cope, and it is okay to ask for help if you need help, You are not alone!.
Profile: optimisticSnow80
optimisticSnow80 on Nov 14, 2014
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It is often used as a coping mechanism, but by no means is it a healthy or positive one like those that are encouraged by mental health professionals. It is not technically one because it doesn't work or benefit you in the long run.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 14, 2014
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Yes, self-harm is considered as a coping mechanism, but it is wrong to self harm, there are many other alternatives to cope with stuff without hurting oneself
Profile: Sofia
Sofia on Nov 15, 2014
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Yes. Slef harm can be a very unhealthy oping mechanism, however, which is why here at 7 cups we can provide self help guides and techniques that will lead you to better coping mechanisms.
Profile: listeningandcaring
listeningandcaring on Mar 21, 2015
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Yes, it is a coping skill, but it is unhealthy. Explore healthier alternatives such as squeezing ice cubes (to provide pain) or writing out your feelings for a release. There many others, and feel free to talk to me if you want to know more!
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Yes. Self-harm is a coping mechanism, but a really bad one. No one should have to through that. There are alternative ways of coping, though. Find something that works for you and keeps your mind off things.
Profile: JosephineAvery14
JosephineAvery14 on Apr 26, 2015
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In a way, yes. In another way, no. Self harm is done as a distraction. People are afraid to feel the emotions they feel about a particular thing so instead of facing them, they distract themselves with self-harm. Its more of a distraction, rather than a way of coping :)
Profile: Amanda9715
Amanda9715 on Apr 29, 2015
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It can. Often times people who self harm are trying to find a way to deal with things that are happening to them, or attempting to deal with emotions (or even the lack of emotional feeling).
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