MagiStream

Expanding the topic so it can be useful. You may discuss self injury here ---causes, what it means, how it impacts quality of life, how it's treated, etc. Just no graphic descriptions of self harm, no proponents of it, and no medical advice ( sharing coping skills is different).

-- TxCat, moderator HoS

Today was Self-Injury Awareness Day.
A day where people who formerly have self-injured generally are more open about their own history of self-harm.

I was wondering about anyone's views on the topic.

Well I missed the day but don't have a problem talking about my history of self harm. Was there something in particular you wanted to know about it?

I think he states in the topic asking about anyone's opinion on the topic...

As to the actual question, I feel that it is a good way for them to open up. My ex opened up to me about her months as an emo (this was when we were dating of course, now she thinks I'm a malicious prick) and it really helped her get over it.

TheStrangeWeirdo wrote:I think he states in the topic asking about anyone's opinion on the topic...

As to the actual question, I feel that it is a good way for them to open up. My ex opened up to me about her months as an emo (this was when we were dating of course, now she thinks I'm a malicious prick) and it really helped her get over it.

Her months as an emo? Well no wonder she thinks you're a prick. It's a very serious thing to harm yourself and you've managed to stick her into some stereotype group...

So far as my "opinion" on it, it's obviously not the best way to handle things and is usually a result of a much bigger problem. I was asking the OP if there was anything specific s/he wanted an opinion on...if we're talking just about the day, I don't need a special day to open up.

TxCat wrote:A point of clarification: emo IS not the same ad self harm. Self harming behaviors such as cutting, chewing, scratching, and burning (there are others but these are most common) are psychological indicators of serious mental illness. They are life threatening and require treatment. I will provide some links and definitions in the morning. Until then please remember that we are not doctors or therapists here. You may talk about what self harm means, what causes it, treatment options, and related ideas but you may not give graphic descriptions or tell people how to do it. I would also discourage you from giving personal accounts in detail in a forum where you don't know everyone.

Point taken (: I had no intention of being graphic or telling anyone how to do it. I just wanted to make the point that I'm not ashamed of it and that if people are curious I will talk about it.

I would like to know if this is about self-injury more than the actual day? I have nothing to contribute to the one but perhaps I can contribute to a discussion on the former.

I altered the topic so it could be discussed. This thread is for discussion of self harm.

As for self-harming, I've seen it first-hand. My friend (let's call her S) has been having some troubles both with her self-esteem and health. She had a disease, which affected her social life (she had to stay home 90% of the time) which affected her already low self-esteem. S would constantly complain about her looks, how boys didn't like her "that" way and how her grades were bad (they were not). In addition to this, she became lethargic, had feelings of nausea alot and lots of stomach-aches (sp?). S felt like she could not be a normal teenager because of this disease, and had a hard time with herself. She began to cut herself, and the few times I saw her, her wrists bore marks of this self-harming.

So, self-harming is not a topic I don't understand, or feel lightly about. I believe that beeing called bad stuff like emo (not that the emo fashion/music is bad, quite on the contray actually) is disrespectful towards those who suffer psycologaly (sp?). The best way to help depends on your role. If you're a friend, be there for them at any time. If you're a parent, get your child to professionals (such as psycologists) as soon as possible. If you're the teacher, notify the parents, if they don't already know.

As for my friend, she recieved help and is a lot better now, thankfully.

I used to a long time ago stopped due to the fact I have to many problems from what happaned but I used to hit things and dislocate my knuckles fingers and such out of anger at myself or my family now im stuck with arthritus and can barely hold things much anymore without pain.