Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association
"serving those affected by eating disorders"

Self-harm

The Facts


The Basement
Project

Self-harm: the facts

Fact

People self-harm in different ways. Some cut their arms or legs, others bang or bruise their bodies. Self-harm also includes burning, scratching, hair-pulling, scrubbing, or anything that causes injury to the body. Some people take tablets, perhaps not a big overdose, but enough to blot things out for a while. Some people hurt themselves just once or twice. Other people use self-harm to cope over a long time. They might hurt themselves quite often during a bad patch.

Fact

Self-harm isn’t necessarily about suicide. Sometimes people harm themselves because they want to die. But often it’s more about staying alive. People may hurt themselves to help them get through a bad time. It’s a way to cope.

Fact

It’s not ‘just attention-seeking’. People self-harm because they are in pain and trying to cope. They could also be trying to show that something is wrong. They need to be taken seriously.

Fact

It doesn’t mean you’re off your head. All sorts of people self-harm. Even people in high-powered jobs. It’s a sign that something is bothering and upsetting you, not that you are mad. You may not have met anyone else who self-harms and may even think you are the only one who does it. There’s a lot of secrecy about self-harm. But many thousands of people cope in this way for a while.

Fact

Other things can be ‘self-harm’ too. Things like starving, overeating, drinking too much, risk-taking, smoking and many others are also types of ‘self-harm’. Some coping methods (like burying yourself in work) may be more acceptable, but can still be harmful.

Fact

People do stop self-harming. Many people stop self-harming - when they’re ready. They sort their problems out and find other ways of dealing with their feelings. It might take a long time and they might need help. But things can get better.

Fact

You can get help. If you are worried about self-harm you can get help. Self-harm is often a way of coping with painful experiences. These might include being abused or neglected, losing someone important to you, being bullied, harassed or assaulted, or being very lonely and isolated. It helps to tell someone supportive about painful things that have happened to you and the ways these have made you feel.

The Basement Project
PO Box 5, Abergavenny, NP7 5XW.

Phone: 01873 856524

http://freespace.virgin.net/basement.project/default.htm

About The Basement Project

Our work is founded on respect for individuals and for their rights to determine their own needs and make choices for themselves. We provide low-cost books on self-harm for those who cope in this way and for workers, families and friends. Please contact us for details.

You can contact SWEDA for information about eating disorders and the range of services offered (including: one-to-one support, self-help support and the telephone helpline) at :-

SWEDA’s telephone helpline, which is staffed by trained volunteers, many of whom have a personal experience of an eating disorder, can be reached on:-

01458 448600
an answerphone is available when the helpline is closed.


support@swedauk.org
Email support and MSN Messenger contact ID

SWEDA is a registered charity (No.1056441)
and a company limited by guarantee (No.3208772)