Self-harm can take many forms, but may include:
- Cutting or burning of the skin using objects, or inserting objects into the body
- Scratching, biting or pulling at skin
- Undereating or overeating
- Over exercising (which can be linked to undereating)
- Poisoning yourself with toxic substances
- Abusing alcohol or drugs
- Banging of the head or hitting yourself
- Deliberate risky behaviour that is likely to cause injury, for instance getting into fights
Some people may only use one method of self-harm, other people may be using a combination of different methods to cope with extremely troubling internal feelings or experiences.
People who self-harm can be very secretive about their harming as they may feel ashamed that they need to harm or may be afraid that others will try to remove their coping mechanisms when they find out they are harming.
Someone who always wears long sleeves and trousers, even during the summer months, could be concealing scars or burns, or they may not wish to eat in front of others so that their food intake is not seen as unusual by other people.
It’s not always easy to spot when someone is self-harming and the person harming may find it difficult to talk about their self-harm if it is discovered unexpectedly.
