Self-Harm

Self-harming can take a number of forms, all of which are designed to cause injury to oneself.  Cutting, self-burning, hitting one’s head or other parts of the body, hair-pulling and even self-poisoning and self-strangulation are all types of self-harm which are commonly used as a means of individuals punishing themselves or attempting to gain control over their own lives.  In some cases, people self-harm because they feel numb or disconnected from everything and everyone around them, or in order to achieve some temporary relief from the symptoms of stress, depression or anxiety. 

Although more common in youngsters and adolescents, self-harming is also becoming increasingly common in the older generations.