How to Help People Who Intentionally Harm Theirself • Hello Healthy
Sometimes, it can be difficult to see the characteristics of people who intentionally injure themselves. The people around you may have these tendencies without your knowing it. The reason is, people who do this usually cover their scars by wearing closed clothes, or do not want to be invited to talk about the problem. The sooner you know that someone has these potentially fatal tendencies, the more likely it is to help them. If someone in your loved one or family member injures yourself, you need a special approach to be there. Please pay close attention to this guide to helping self-harm people.
Why would someone intentionally hurt themselves?
Anyone can do this action, whether male, female, teenager, or adult. Generally, they intentionally injure themselves due to emotions, situations, memories, or events that are very difficult to digest. As a form of outlet, they will deliberately cause injury, pain, or certain physical sensations to their own bodies.
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Please note, the information in this paragraph may be difficult to process and make you uncomfortable. If you are currently feeling vulnerable or have a certain urge to self-harm, you should not continue reading. There are several ways a person can hurt his body. Examples include slashing and scratching the skin until it cuts, hitting the head, or burning certain limbs. In other cases, self-harm involves drinking poison or drug overdose.
In some people, this act can prove to himself that he is alive and not numb. However, certain people don’t feel anything when they injure themselves because the brain’s function that regulates pain has been disrupted due to psychological trauma or certain psychiatric disorders.
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How can I help someone who self-injures?
To help people who hurt themselves, it is important to remember that you need patience because breaking this habit is not easy and can take a long time. However, every moment and effort you put into it is worth it.
1. Find out about self-injurious habits
In order for the help and support that you provide to him according to his condition, you should learn about self-harm habits from various trusted sources. By doing so, you will be able to understand the patterns of thought and behavior and be able to act according to the situation.
2. Be positive
It’s not that you tolerate his actions, but rather show compassion and compassion. Judging or calling him “crazy” or “insane” will not help him break the habit. Blaming her for doing this would also make her even more vulnerable.
Instead of being judgmental and negative, ask him how he feels and what you can do to make him feel better. Let him know that you believe he can get out of his mindset. This is not easy because he doesn’t necessarily want to tell you right away or stop his actions, but over time he will feel your positive energy.
3. Don’t make him feel guilty
When helping someone who has self-harm, focus on himself. Don’t be on yourself, your family, or anyone else. Avoid words like, “Poor your parents, they must be sad and embarrassed if you’re like this.”
Right now, what he needs is your attention and concern for him because he is likely to feel like a failure and worthless. Making him feel guilty actually justifies his mindset that he is a failure and a mistake that deserves to be hurt. Even though it is sometimes difficult for you to accept and understand what he is doing, respect his feelings and thoughts with an open heart.
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4. Provide time
In most cases, people who hurt themselves only need your time and willingness to listen to their complaints. He doesn’t need gifts, advice, or lectures from you. So, make sure that the people closest to you know that you are ready to listen to problems and express their hearts. You can also make time to invite him to do positive things together. Find out what activities he likes and places that interest him.
5. Don’t threaten
You will not help someone who self-injures with threats and warnings. For example, threats to expel a child from home if they are caught injuring themselves, or threatening to expel a student who injures himself from school. Such threats will only make her vision more blurry and make it difficult to make wise decisions when emotions are triggered.
6. Invite to seek professional help
Remember that you may need help from a psychologist or psychiatrist to break the habit of self-injury. No need to force or drag him into a psychology clinic, but give him the constant understanding that there are other people who can help him get out of the black hole. However, if he is in a dangerous situation, immediately call emergency services or take him to the nearest health facility.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
