SELF-HARM Photo © Juliet Morris Many people cope with extreme stress or unhappy feelings by harming themselves. To those who do not suffer with self harming thoughts this seems very wrong and most people find it very hard to understand. S.Westwood has first hand experience of self harm. He knows exactly what it feels like. It is hard to explain why someone does it except that it is a coping mechanism that comes in to play when emotions are high. It is an urge just like the urge to over eat or to drink alcohol-- an inward feeling that needs to come out. If the sufferer could cry perhaps all their rage or depression or self hatred could come out through tears but to a self harmer, nothing is better than the pain and the blood caused by them cutting. In no way should you glamorise this response, it is dysfunctional and can be dangerous. You will be left with scars that you might feel you have to hide away from others, or you might even want people to see the scars as you want people to know you are unhappy. Often it is a cry for help, but other times it is just a way of coping. Many people have these feelings and some do act upon them. Have you ever felt like punching a wall or screaming? That is the same feeling. It is a release and sometimes the only way to stop thinking about cutting is to actually cut. If you still feel the need to cut here are some things to take in to account. Firstly, if you are going to do it- BE SAFE. Use a clean blade. Do not press too hard and if you do cut too deep seek medical help straight away. You may need a tetanus booster or even stitches. Put the blades in a locked cupboard and hide the key away- then if you feel like cutting you will have to go through a long process to get to them. Try other ways to cope before turning to cutting. Talk to someone- one of your friends or perhaps on an internet chat room or forum- someone you can rant at and write all your feelings. Write in a diary about how you feel. Get it out there. Bang your drum kit or play your guitar turned up to ten . If you are allowed medically- take one of your meds ONLY if it is a drug you can take when needed. Put an ice cube on your wrist or hold it in your hand and try to leave it there till you can’t stand the pain. Keep an elastic band around your wrist and pull it and let it go. Scratch with your fingers. Eventually, the feelings will get better. FURTHER READING ON SELF-HARM Wikipedia.org