Self-harm can be a way of dealing with deep distress and emotional pain. It may help you express feelings you can’t put into words, distract you from your life, or release emotional pain. Afterwards, you probably feel better—at least for a little while. But then the painful feelings return, and you feel the urge to hurt yourself again.

Self-harm includes anything you do to intentionally injure yourself (cutting, burning, etc.). It can also include less obvious ways of hurting yourself or putting yourself in danger (binge drinking, unsafe sex). 

People who self-harm are not dangerous to others. Self-harming is not usually done to get attention, or to kill themselves. However, it is never a healthy coping strategy, and can be dangerous to yourself.

Treatment and self-help

• Talk to someone. Share your feelings with someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, teacher, religious leader, counselor, or relative. A therapist can help you with the next treatment suggestions. 
• Identify your triggers. Think about which feelings make you want to self-harm, then work on other ways to deal with them
• Find new coping techniques. Express emotions through art; calm yourself by having a massage or nap; stimulate your senses by holding ice or chewing chilli; or release anger with exercise.