What is self-harm? Signs and causes

An overview of definitions of self harm, information on common causes and some ideas for those looking to stop self harm as well as treatment recommendations.

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For me, drinking was self-harm

I would drink 2-4 times a week, only having a break to nurse my hangover in-between. And I would binge drink, downing 5+ glasses of wine, and usually losing count and staying up into the wee hours. I went to work still drunk. I went to work on no sleep. I would spend hundreds of pounds a month on booze even though I had no savings. Alcohol had its cold damp tendrils wrapped around my life. And my drinking was more than imbibing a social lubricant, it was a form of self-harm.
There needs to be more words about genital self injury

I’ve spent time deciding whether to get medical attention. I need it. I can’t talk about it. The words won’t come out. I’ve come up with a plan this time. I scribble what’s happened and where on a piece of paper. I get myself to the Emergency Department. I’ve been here before for the same reason I call it the walk of shame, I deserve the judgment I get. I’m dreading going in. It’s very busy and I think everyone there somehow knows why I’m there.
Trauma leads to trauma that leads to trauma

Sweating and shaking, my eyes burning. The people, the lights, the beeping, the smell of disinfectant. I gasp for air. I’m not here in A&E for me, and yet I tremble. The past is the present; the present is the past. I enter through the literal revolving door. The nurses all know my name by now. One of them tells me if I really wanted to die, I would be dead. Another tells me I have ruined my body, the patchwork of scars and stitches everywhere making any beauty obsolete.
Support Service Volunteers - Recruiting Now for September Training!

Our fantastic team of Support Service Volunteers provide valuable non-judgemental support to women and girls affected by self harm via helpline, text, email and webchat. They make it possible to continue running our services and make an incredible difference to the the people in need who contact us.

Women's Self Injury Support Services

Please don't hesitate to contact us for free, confidential, non-judgemental support around self-injury and related issues. All services open Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm - 9.30pm. Please click here for details of how to access our support services.
UK Support Groups and Other Services

Comprehensive listing of local and national self-harm and self-injury support groups and organisations
Rainbow Journal - Personal Self-Help Diary
Helpful responses to self-injury

Short and long term helpful responses to self-injury
What if I don't want to stop self-harming?
About Us - Our Vision, Our Mission, Our Values

Read more about our vision that anyone who uses self-injury knows they are not alone; that everyone understands that self-injury is a complex and important issue we should all care about and that together we tackle both the causes and stigma of self-injury.
Distractions and alternatives
What is self-injury?

Understand more about self-harm and self-injury
New and Updated Self-Harm Training

Self injury Support has 30 years’ experience in delivering high quality self-harm training to a wide variety of settings and participants. Our approach is participative and reflective, and is focused on bringing the voice of people who use self-harm into the room, building empathy and confidence for supporters.
Reducing self-harm worksheet