What Is Self-Injury?

Common reasons for self-injuring include:

• to cope with grief, loss, violence, chronic illness or major stressors
• to deal with unwanted feelings like anxiety or depression
• to punish themself
• to express feelings of failure, anger or self-hate
• to make emotional distress feel like physical pain
• to feel something, instead of feeling nothing or feeling numb
• to feel in control of something when other things feel out of control
• to feel better at that moment or feel a release of tension
• to avoid dealing with a stressful situation
• to communicate distress, a need for help or the feeling that they can’t be helped

Self-injury is usually very private and can be really hard to talk about. Common types of self-injury are:

• cutting or scratching the skin
• carving words or symbols into the skin
• rubbing objects into the skin
• burning the skin
• biting or severely pinching the skin
• self hitting
• crashing or banging into objects
• picking at sores on the skin
• hair-pulling

When someone is self-injuring it may seem like a less harmful way to deal with their thoughts and feelings. But self-injury is still harmful to the individual.

Those who stop self-injuring say they:

• are working on addressing the underlying issues that lead to the self-injury
• are better able to handle their emotions
• have become more self-aware
• are getting support from others

For some, the urge to self-injure can be very strong. But, there are places to get help and ideas for healthy ways to cope.

• Where to get help:
  • Talk to someone you trust like a family member, teacher or coach.
  • Talk to a professional like a doctor or counsellor.
  • Use phone and online support services.
• Check out the Tips for Talking with Someone to help you start the conversation.
• Here are some ways to start managing self-injury at home.

• In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
• If not an immediate emergency call 811 to speak with a nurse.
• Make sure you care for any injuries properly, keep basic first aid supplies on hand.
• See your doctor if you’re not sure what to do next.