Why is self-harm frowned upon?

[peacesoon]

I started heavily engaging in self-harming again since November of last year. It helps me cope. Media masks it as this "sinful" thing, as if it's the Devil's command himself. What a load of bullshit. What's the saying— "my body, my choice."

I am not in pain when I self-harm.

I am in pain when I don't self-harm.

Again, I know it is not a sane thing to do, but really, with all the fucked-up things happening in the world, this is the least insane thing to do.

 

[SilentSadness]

Again, I know it is not a sane thing to do

Because self harm is not seen as a sane thing to do. I hope you find peace.

 

[aubrey!]

I was asking myself the same question. I guess from a physical standpoint, it is harm, but it really is calming above all else.

 

[FuneralCry]

Often people frown upon what they don't understand. At the end of the day if self harm makes existing more bearable for many people then there is nothing wrong with it, it's a personal decision.

 

[Shadowlord900]

I imagine it's because those same people fear it would lead to one wanting to CTB, and I think you already know what the majority of peoples' thoughts of suicide are outside of the people on these forums.

 

[trist]

i think humans are biologically wired to avoid pain and damage (SI) and it takes a lot to overcome that which most people won't ever experience. i also started self-harming to cope but after doing it for quite long it became an addiction, so maybe that's another reason why it's frowned upon.

 

[mkitsune]

I started heavily engaging in self-harming again since November of last year. It helps me cope. Media masks it as this "sinful" thing, as if it's the Devil's command himself. What a load of bullshit. What's the saying— "my body, my choice."

I am not in pain when I self-harm.

I am in pain when I don't self-harm.

Again, I know it is not a sane thing to do, but really, with all the fucked-up things happening in the world, this is the least insane thing to do.

I've talked about this with professional, and well, they told me that it's not bad, that it's a coping mechanism like any other and they frown upon people that ask others to stop without offering other means of coping.
So yeah, it's not an ideal coping mechanism because it probably causes more trauma and literally harms you, but in the meantime if it's all that someone got, it's better than nothing.

 

[Rob1984]

It's because self-harm is a blatant red flag that somebody is mentally ill. Think about it- it's so hard to judge if someone is psychologically healthy (because often there is no telltale signs), but when someone is purposely hurting themselves… well, then it is pretty obvious they aren't doing well mentally.

I personally would say "concerning" is a more apt way of phrasing it rather than "frowned down upon." You even admitted in your post that it is not a "sane" thing to do, but yet you are confused why the public gets concerned when an individual harms themselves…?