SELF HARM RESOURCES

Why do people harm themselves?

 

One may injure themselves in order to:

• find relief from intense feelings,

• cope with difficult situations,

• stop/induce/prevent dissociation,

• experience euphoric feelings from endorphins,

• physically express their pain,

• communicate their feelings,

• nurture themselves through caring for a wound,

• punish themselves,

• re-enact abuse,

• establish control.

Each of these reasons is briefly described and explained here.

 

This article unpacks 6 common causes of self-harm in an attempt to help friends/family better understand self-harm, what it may mean, and why an individual may be using it as a coping method.

 

YouTuber and licensed therapist, Kati Morison, explains some common root causes and insecurities that feed self-harming behaviors, and some common reasons people engage in self-harm.