Discussion Self Harm being a great coping mechanism

[Aphid]

Generally, I've self harmed most of my life since I was young. I don't understand why there's so much pushback against cutting bruising or general self harm.

 

[LonelyPrince]

Might not be the greatest coping mechanism but I never really understood myself why there is so much pushback against this method.

I believe it's because people don't understand the concept of actually wanting to hurt yourself. People who don't feel horrible and don't need to cope see this as insanity and I can't blame them: why voluntarily cause damage to your own body?

It's the same thing with suicide, which is seen as taboo because humans fear death and can't immagine an individual causing their own death voluntarily.

I love cutting and hurting myself because my pain finally becomes something external. My mental illness finally can manifest physically.

 

[Aphid]

I love cutting and hurting myself because my pain finally becomes something external. My mental illness finally can manifest physically.

Exactly this. I feel it's just a good way to view the internal pain, it's almost like an exchange. To rid oneself of internal pain it must turn external

 

[milkytoast467]

self harm is a coping mechanism, not exactly ideal but it sure helps vent your internal frustration by causing external harm to your body. I would do so many cuts that I couldn't recognize an inch of my body without seeing either new or old cuts/scars. Please keep in mind that self-harm shouldn't be dehumanized and labeled as "attention-seeking" or sexually gratifiied. There is nothing sexually appealing seeing open cuts/wounds.

 

[adamantc]

Generally, I've self harmed most of my life since I was young. I don't understand why there's so much pushback against cutting bruising or general self harm.

the pushback is totally unjustified. With me, due to the societal repellence and the constant monitoring, I have taken refuge in self-asphyxiation (also not sexual, but far more dangerous and undetectable). Being forced to stop can lead to horrible and worse results.

 

[synthetic_suicide]

I see it as a form of harm reduction. It's one or two steps below suicide, it keeps you alive and lower the burden of being alive for a few hours.

Also much better than doing hard drugs or becoming an alcoholic which are the only alternatives I can think of.