A: Self Harm is basically one person's way of dealing with themselves and their problems. Mostly, it's a way of dealing with stress.
Q: Why would anyone want to self harm?
A: As stated above, it is a way of coping with stress. There are other reasons as to why someone would self harm, but they vary greatly. It depends on the person. They may also do it because of low self-esteem. They feel that they are not good enough for anyone.
Q: Can't someone just stop harming themselves if they know it is hurting them as well as the people who care about them?
A: No. As much as one would want to stop harming themselves, it is addicting, as in, hard to stop. Usually when someone starts self harming, the hardest thing to do is stop.
Q: Is there more than one type of self harm?
A: Oh yes. The most common type of self harm is cutting. There is also burning, hitting, slashing (different from cutting, swiping a sharp object across the skin, usually is not that deep, but still causes a lot of damage), bone breaking, drugs, and many other methods. I have heard of some people cutting off entire sections of skin.
Q: Are all self harmers suicidal?
A: No, not all are suicidal. Some only do it to help ease emotional pain. However, suicidal tendencies are common when it comes to self harm.
Q: What age do people start self harming?
A: It varies. I started when I was eleven years old. I have heard of one person starting as young as age five. Others have started as old as in their forties.
Q: How can one stop self harning?
A: One can't just stop harming themselves. Self harm is highly addictive. People who want to stop self harm need the support of their family and friends without pressure to get help. The last thing a self harmer wants is that kind of pressure. It is important to let the self harmer get help on their own when they feel they need it the most. You can help them by being there for them and always reminding them that you are there for them if they need anything. Do not hesitate to help them when they ask for it.
Q: Can self harm be connected with events from one's past?
A: Yes. If someone had a very traumatizing childhood then they are more likely to self harm. Also, even if that person had a decent childhood, they still hold the possibility of self harming if they are under a lot of stress, they recieve little support for their actions, or if they have mental disorders such as depression and paranoia.