Self harming - what the deal here?

Question

What's the deal with this? Is this just another stupid fad? Like wearing your pants down or something? I mean I get it if you want some piercings or a few tasteful and somewhat discreetly placed tats but they can at least be fashionable in some way but to cut yourself just because your sad/mad/whatever ... well it seems pointless. Then to come on YA and try to get people to make you feel better or excuse you for having done so just seems pathetic to me. 

Is this just a middle class young teen thing? Are they just bored? Are they just copying each other to be cool? Does it span all the races?

Somebody hep me! I don't mean to sound insensitive I just don't get it.

Max F · Accepted Answer

Self-harm has a broad definition to include piercings and tattoos however with the acceptance of these in the general population I think there is a "normal" level.  Where you have extreme piercings and tattoos covering most of the body these would qualify as self-harm indicators along with cutting and burning etc.

Self-harm isn't a fad, and as many articles will say it's a sign of distress.  It's not simply a way of gaining attention and it has a circuit breaker action to it in that it can numb down the painful emotions someone is feeling, or kick start emotions when they're feeling empty.

It is a complex disorder and the people who come on YA probably do so because it's a problem that is looked down on by general society and they're probably quite scared to come out.  I suspect most of them are probably here asking for genuine help.

Self harming - what the deal here?

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