With Regards to Self-Harm

[Emissary Laito]

In the past I have encountered a number of people who self-harmed, and have self-harmed myself on occasion. However, my opinion on it seems to be pretty unusual (I don't know anyone else who holds it anyway), so I'm going to see where posting this takes things.

I see no problems with the act of self-harm. The whole "Oh my god X cuts themselves" just seems like a huge over-reaction.

To me, its really not a big deal. I don't do it at the moment for various reasons, but even when I did, I wasn't necessarily depressed. I just liked the feeling.
(I'm no masochist by the way. Cutting releases endorphins.)

See, while this generally sounds shocking, I'd happily compare it to say, smoking.
You're causing damage to yourself and its making you feel good.
So while I sort of get where you're coming from if you hate both, I cant see how it makes sense to be shocked by one and not the other.

Now, sometimes self-harm comes from self-loathing, and I get that. It is a big deal then.
Except not quite.
Its a big deal that said person loathes themselves. The fact that they self-harm isn't in its-self a problem.

So, thoughts?

Note: I'll probably leave soon after posting this, got stuff to do today, and I'll come back later on in the day to reply to people and see how this pans out.

EDIT: Just realized how my avatar will make this look. Disregard it, I'm not emo, I just like the color scheme of it.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Problems with self-harm: Tetanus, HIV, Scar tissue, Haemophilia, Desensitization, Lack of biology skill, Blood Poisoning, social stigma.

And how are you going to up the dose? Auto-erotic asphyxia? Not the best gateway, is it?

 

[Hashime]

I suggest spicy food and exercise. Both release endorphins. One makes you look like a man in front of buddies, one makes you healthier. Also, you will not get unsightly scars or infections, and spicy food in conjunction with exercise is great because it clear out your sinuses. I am up to about 500 000 scoville units, though I eat spicy food for the manliness factor only.

 

[Emissary Laito]

Problems with self-harm: Tetanus, HIV, Scar tissue, Haemophilia, Desensitization, Lack of biology skill, Blood Poisoning, social stigma.

And how are you going to up the dose? Auto-erotic asphyxia? Not the best gateway, is it?

First two and the fourth would just be a matter of being hygienic about it wouldn't it?
Scar tissue, ok but its kind of to be expected if you do it.
Desensitization? How so?
Lack of biology skill? What?
Blood poisoning would again be a matter of hygiene.
Social stigma, well I mention in my post about how the social stigma is an over-reaction.

I've never felt the need to up the dose, so I cant really answer that part.

 

[archvile93]

The problem with self mutilation, while damaging in itself isn't the main concern, but rather what it represents. It almost always indicates very deep and severe emotional problems which can lead to much worse things, like suicide, if not addressed.

 

[Emissary Laito]

I suggest spicy food and exercise. Both release endorphins. One makes you look like a man in front of buddies, one makes you healthier. Also, you will not get unsightly scars or infections, and spicy food in conjunction with exercise is great because it clear out your sinuses. I am up to about 500 000 scoville units, though I eat spicy food for the manliness factor only.

Heh, I'm aware that those work, although its too bad I don't like spicy food. Curse my sensitive taste-buds

;-]

 

[Emissary Laito]

The problem with self mutilation, while damaging in itself isn't the main concern, but rather what it represents. It almost always indicates very deep and severe emotional problems which can lead to much worse things, like suicide, if not addressed.

This makes sense. It was generally just fun for me, but it fits I guess.

It bothers me that its assumed to be universal though. I've had to keep rather quiet about it in the past, as people automatically assumed that about me if they ever found out.

 

[ultrachicken]

Smoking is becoming more and more of a social taboo, and other drugs are already there. Except alcohol.

I think that people react so harshly to self-harm because it's unsettling. Harm is called harm because it's generally bad, so the thought of someone doing that to themselves is unsettling.

My opinion is that any form of self-harm is stupid, but ultimately the person's choice. That's somewhat nulled in regards to alcohol, simply because people drink so much that it's inconvenient to be so opposed to it.

 

[Hashime]

I suggest spicy food and exercise. Both release endorphins. One makes you look like a man in front of buddies, one makes you healthier. Also, you will not get unsightly scars or infections, and spicy food in conjunction with exercise is great because it clear out your sinuses. I am up to about 500 000 scoville units, though I eat spicy food for the manliness factor only.

Heh, I'm aware that those work, although its too bad I don't like spicy food. Curse my sensitive taste-buds

;-]

The only way to make them not sensitive is to eat lots and build up. I started at banana peppers when I was about 10, and 8 years later I am at scotch bonnet peppers. You will hurt until you reach a "Pain plateau" where the endorphins offset the pain. To enjoy the flavour of the pepper you must reach this point.

 

[katsumoto03]

Self-harm is just one telling those around them that "Hey, I can't deal with these problems on my own. Please help me."

Not trying to be judgmental, merely stating what I've observed. Most people who claim that they do it for any other reason are just bullshitting themselves.

 

[Infernai]

Here is a story that was enough to make me realize why self harm is a bad thing, and yes this is true: There was once a girl who was known to go and cut her wrists whenever she felt depressed or wanted to feel better about herself. So, she did it for some time but...one day she cut a bit to deep and severed a major arterie/vein/nerve..can't remember what. But the point is because of that damage, she is unable to use her left hand anymore.

Also, scars don't look very flattering and I'm in no mood to look like a patchwork mess doll so..yeah. Thats partly my two reasons as to why i don't really like self mutilation.

 

[archvile93]

The problem with self mutilation, while damaging in itself isn't the main concern, but rather what it represents. It almost always indicates very deep and severe emotional problems which can lead to much worse things, like suicide, if not addressed.

This makes sense. It was generally just fun for me, but it fits I guess.

It bothers me that its assumed to be universal though. I've had to keep rather quiet about it in the past, as people automatically assumed that about me if they ever found out.

Well, if it's just for fun, I suppose it's okay, but there're much healthier ways to release endorphins you know. Careful not to get hooked on them though, It's amazing what you can get addicted to. Also, are you sure you're not masochistic? Enjoying the feeling of pain (for the release of endorphins or otherwise) I'm pretty sure is its definition. It doesn't have to be sexual, though it often is.

 

[daftalchemist]

It's just wrong. You aren't meant to do harm to yourself or disfigure yourself. I used to pull out all of my eyebrows and eyelashes due to depression, anxiety, and just general stress. People would even freak out over that.

 

[Emissary Laito]

Well, if it's just for fun, I suppose it's okay, but there're much healthier ways to release endorphins you know. Careful not to get hooked on them though, It's amazing what you can get addicted to. Also, are you sure you're not masochistic? Enjoying the feeling of pain (for the release of endorphins or otherwise) I'm pretty sure is its definition. It doesn't have to be sexual, though it often is.

I don't do it at the moment, it was bothering someone I care about so I stopped. I was never addicted to it, although I'll agree its possible to get addicted to weird stuff.

Nah, I actually have a fairly low pain thresh-hold, and minimized it as much as I could. Pretty sure I'm not masochistic.

 

[astrav1]

Too many downsides for the most part. If you mean cutting then I would not, although if I do get cut then I don't mind it since it then becomes a challenge to stop the feeling of pain with my mind. It also toughens up the skin. I technically self-harm by deadening the nerves in my fists, forearms, shins, elbows, and knees by hitting a concrete wall--for combat purposes.

 

[Emissary Laito]

Here is a story that was enough to make me realize why self harm is a bad thing, and yes this is true: There was once a girl who was known to go and cut her wrists whenever she felt depressed or wanted to feel better about herself. So, she did it for some time but...one day she cut a bit to deep and severed a major arterie/vein/nerve..can't remember what. But the point is because of that damage, she is unable to use her left hand anymore.

I think that's more a matter of not being careful. A lot can happen if people aren't careful, so I don't think that incident says much to be honest.

EDIT: Corrected a failed sentence.

 

[101flyboy]

If the word "harm" is involved, and you are doing it to "self", than obviously the two together tells me that this is a negative, and not something I would want myself or anyone to end up doing. There isn't any positive in self-harming yourself.

But, you are right. It's not necessarily the self harm which is the issue, it's an extension of the problem. The reasons why any individual would be taken to that point in the first place is the #1 issue.

 

[SadisticPretzel]

I had a bad self-injury problem for a long time....I've been "clean" now for about 2.5 years.

I never saw anything bad about. Granted, I too had a very twisted reason for doing it that I won't go into here, if you're curious you can PM me. But there are ways to do it "safely." The therapist my grandparents made me see when I was a teenager actually made me take a Saturday morning class that was basically "If you're going to do it, here's how to do it with the least risk."