SELF HARM RESOURCES

At what point does self-harm become a problem?

 

Often those who self-harm look at their injuries and wonder whether or not it is severe enough to be a problem, or "real self-harm."  How do you tell when it is a problem?

 

All self-harm is a problem.  

 

All self-harm is serious because it reflects deeper distress and struggles that the individual is currently unable to cope with in a healthy manner.  Self-harm is a signal that whatever the individual is going through, it is difficult enough that they are unable to deal with it in a healthy and direct manner.

 

When self-harmers wonder whether or not their self harm is "enough" or "real" or "if it matters yet," they are looking for validation of their pain.  They are often searching for a physical sign that what they are going through internally is Real and Valid.  The truth is, the physical body cannot reflect the validity of emotions.  Rather than looking to the body, one needs to look to the heart and begin understanding that emotions are valid just as they are.  You feel it and therefore it is a real emotion and it matters.  

 

You're trying to validate your pain, but your pain is already valid.