With Regards to Self-Harm

[Emissary Laito]

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.

It can be fun?
I'd say that counts as a positive.

 

[THAC0]

I have done it in the past as well.

Now i smoke. it isn't quite the same, but i doesn't raise as many eyebrows.

 

[Emissary Laito]

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."

Wow, seriously?
I've never heard of anything like that before.
That's actually a pretty good idea.

 

[Ambi]

I noticed some obviously self-inflicted scars on my friend's arms and chest. I already knew she'd tried to commit suicide before so it didn't come as a shock.

What it represents in the eyes of most people is nasty and sinister. Although you might take it lightly, it's not a nice thing for people to see. It's easy to trust yourself but to other people it's like watching a child trying to be a stunt artist.

I hate when some people treat it as an emo kid badge of honour because they intuitively know it suits their image. It's not cool.

 

[badgersprite]

The problem is that almost every self-harmer I know escalates it, because it's something that is at some level beyond their conscious control. It's really not fun knowing that someone you care about could suddenly burn themselves or smack their head against a wall until it splits open or commit suicide. Yes this really happened and happens with people I know.

It's scary.

 

[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.

It can be fun?
I'd say that counts as a positive.

It's an empty fun. Because you feel like crap again after that rush when you cut and bleed is gone. Then you feel the need to do it again, and again, and again, constantly seeking that high, never in a normal state of mind, body and soul. Constant cutting will lead to health issues. And, your emotional pain never goes away, it's still there, you are just overriding it with physical pain. Now, you have compounded your problems. And as those emotional demons continue to fester, how much pain will it take you to hide it? Usually, it leads to suicide, as the pain just gets to be too much.

 

[MeputthecaninthebininHL2]

I encourage self-harm BECAUSE of the risks, the more people who die from it means they can't pass their twisted ideas onto the next generation.

 

[Zhukov]

Quite frankly, inflicting intentional damage on one's own body is rarely a sign of a healthy mind.

As for why people react strongly... well, that shouldn't come as a surprise. You are doing something that is contrary to instinct and is considered by many people to be mildly abhorrent. Imagine if you were to come across someone punching themselves in the head. I doubt your first thought would be, "Oh look, that person is just engaging in some harmless endorphin-driven recreation."

Speaking of endorphins, if that's what you want, why not take up jogging and/or join a gym? You get pain and endorphins aplenty with the added bonuses of strength, fitness and a sexy body.

 

[BrassButtons]

I think 'self-harm' is being used too broadly here. That term usually refers to people who harm themselves as a way of coping, and is a sign of more serious psychological problems. However someone who hurts themselves may not necessarily fall into that group, just as someone who drinks may not be an alcoholic. That doesn't mean self-harm is never worth worrying about, just as the existence of responsible drinkers doesn't mean alcoholism is never worth worrying about.

As to why people freak out about self-harm more than drugs or alcohol, it's because they don't understand it. Most people have a strong desire to avoid pain, so they don't understand how anyone could deliberately hurt themselves (whether it be self-harm, masochism, knife play, aesthetic body modification, or any other reason I may have missed).

 

[AtillaBosma]

I have stopped and advice people not to do it.
Done.

 

[EightGaugeHippo]

I have done it myself, not because of depression, but because cutting releases endorphins which quells pain.

The act its self dosnt hurt much more than a light pinch, so its a good way to deal with physical pain when pain killers are not an option.

I have no objection to people doing it for this reason.
I also dont mind if people cut themselves for attention, just so long as they sterilize the blade first.

 

[ElTigreSantiago]

I will start off by saying there is no way in hell anyone is going to believe you aren't an emo if your avatar is an emo and you post a thread like this. Just saying.

Anyway, there's a reason our bodies feel pain. It's our brains' way of telling us that something is happening that is dangerous to our bodies and we need to put a stop to it. And cutting is indeed different than smoking. All the info in the world supports that smoking kills you, but it doesn't directly and visually kill you everytime you smoke. It became as popular as it is today because people haven't always known that it kills you. Causing direct bodily harm, however, is an entirely different story. It is basic human instinct that you don't want anything penetrating your skin. The second you do, you feel pain, you bleed, and your brain asks you what the hell is going on. It directly and visually causes damage to your body. If you find enjoyment from this, there's a problem.

 

[Count Igor]

I do it occasionally, maybe when I'm bored. But not to be crazy and stupid, but to toughen myself up, and make sure I can take the pain.
..
That's normal, right?

 

[Count Igor]

I do it occasionally, maybe when I'm bored. But not to be crazy and stupid, but to toughen myself up, and make sure I can take the pain.
..
That's normal, right?

Wouldn't it be better to slam your arms and fists into a rock or a tree like how Karate practicioners in Japan do if you want to toughen yourself up?

Actually, I punch trees and walls when I get the chance, but the self harm thing is when I'm not near any tree or wall.
I mean, I can't exactly punch a wall in the middle of the lesson.

 

[Count Igor]

Well.. you always can..

Eh. If I get that crazy I can always fight the whole school.
That'd get me much more tough!

 

[SideburnsPuppy]

Or, if you need endorphin flow, you could, you know, work out or something. That doesn't usually involve...blood.

Sorry, the hemophobe in me is acting up again. I feel sick now.