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Myth 1: People who self-injure want attention. This is a stigma and creates shame for those who struggle with self-injury. For most individuals, self-injury comes after other attempts at managing intense stress, emotional distress and pain. Most individuals report using self-injury to deal with emotional numbness, self-anger, guilt or shame. They may be trying to forget something, remember something or communicate pain. While it is true, self-injury can be a cry for help, it is also a way to communicate to others how they feel on the inside when they feel unheard, unseen or can’t put into words the depth of their pain. Myth 2: Only females self-injure According to research, 30% to 40% of individuals who self-injure are male. Myth 3: Only teenagers self-injure While a majority of cases of self-injury are during the adolescent years (ages 10 to 24), self-injury has been seen in individuals significantly younger as well as adults. Myth 4: Cutting oneself is the only type of self-injury While cutting is the most common form of self-injury, it is not the only form. Self-injury can also look like hitting oneself, pulling out hair, scratching or burning the skin. Self-injury can also be less obvious and may include things such as self-piercing, food restriction or overeating, or inserting sharp objects under the skin. Myth 5: People who self-injure have a severe mental health problem and can’t be helped While many people who self-injure repetitively generally have a diagnosis of depression, or other mood disorders as well as, eating disorders and trauma histories, not all do. According to research on self-harming college students, most had no other mental health symptoms except the self-harm. As with all mental health or behavioral challenges, early intervention and professional help increase the likelihood of recovery and healing. Myth 6: There is nothing I can do to help someone who is self-injuring While you are not a professional, there are still many things you can do to help. Just being available and listening is one of the most important ways to help someone who is struggling. Encouraging them to get professional help or speak to their doctor in order to start the process of healing and recovery is also very helpful. Scolding or guilting them only increases feelings of shame and loneliness and can have a negative impact. If you are unsure if the person is safe or not, reach out for help immediately. Services with a mental health provider can help a person who is hurting learn to use healthy coping skills, communicate their needs better, and identify other barriers there might be to healing beyond self-injury. While most self-injury is not an attempt to end their life, be aware of the signs of suicidal thought. Click here to see a detailed list of warning signs of Suicide from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA). For a fuller list of misconceptions of Self-injury, click here for a document from Cornell University.
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