Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour
Do you ever hurt yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed? If so, you’re not alone. For many people, self-harm is a way of coping with and managing uncomfortable feelings. Hurting yourself may help you express the feelings that you can’t put into words. It can also work as a distraction from your life, or a release from emotional pain. Afterwards, you probably feel better—at least in the short term. But then the painful feelings return, and you feel the urge to get relief by hurting yourself again. Self-harm can feel like an addiction. You want to stop, but you don’t know how. Or you may feel like you can’t give it up because it’s the only thing keeping you from completely breaking down. You can learn to cope with feelings in less damaging ways.
Understanding why you self-harm is a vital first step on the road to recovery. If you can figure out what function your self-injury serves, you can learn other ways to get those needs met. Therapy can help identify your self-harm triggers and provide you with new, healthier coping strategies that won’t end up with you feeling guilty or angry. Therapy will also help you realise that negative emotions can fade quickly if you don’t beat yourself up over things that have happened.
It’s important to understand that having suicidal thoughts doesn’t mean you’re weak, crazy or flawed. It just means that you’re in more pain than you can cope with right now. We’re here to help you realise that what you’re feeling at the moment can be overcome and that a brighter future awaits you.
If you are feeling suicidal, you can speak to a Lifeline counsellor by calling 13 11 14, or you can chat to a Lifeline counsellor online. If you can’t get hold of Lifeline and you urgently need to talk to someone please call 000 for assistance.
For more information about therapy and counselling for self harm related difficulties please contact us.