Self-Harm

Self-harm means hurting your own body on purpose. Most often it is a way to cope with overwhelming feelings, not an attempt to end life. Still, self-harm without intent to die can raise the risk of later suicidal thoughts and attempts, and the two can happen together, so it should always be taken seriously.

Research shows that the most common reason is to manage strong emotions. It can bring quick relief, which is why it can become a habit, and it is often followed by shame.

People describe building pressure, numbness, or feelings they cannot put into words. The urge can feel strong and fast. It is usually a way of coping, not a way of seeking attention, and it deserves care whatever the reason.

Signs that someone may be hurting themselves can include unexplained injuries, covering the body even in warm weather, pulling away from others, secrecy, and strong shame. The absence of these signs does not mean someone is fine.

If you notice signs in someone you care about, stay calm, listen without judging, and ask how they are coping. It is also fine to ask directly about thoughts of suicide.

Therapy helps. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has the most research support so far for reducing self-harm and building skills to manage emotions, especially in teens, though the number of trials is still small. A professional can help you build a safety plan, find other ways to cope, and treat related problems such as depression or trauma. Having a trusted person know, and making the things you use for self-harm harder to reach when urges are strong, can also help.

If you have hurt yourself and are injured, please get medical care. This is not something to handle alone.

Please reach out to a doctor, therapist, or crisis line when the urges feel hard to manage, when injuries need care, or when thoughts of suicide appear. In the United States, call or text 988. Elsewhere, use your local emergency number or findahelpline.com. In an emergency, call 911 (in the United States) or your local emergency number.

• Narrative review. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for non-suicidal self-injury
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help someone else
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Help for Mental Illnesses