Self harming ?

1) There are three main reasons why people self harm. The first is that they're posers and want to look "emo". You'd be surprised how many people are dumb enough to do this, these are the kind of people who self-harm and leave the scars out for everyone to see. The second is that they think that they are depressed when they aren't really. These are the kind of people who self-harm about twice and then never do it again. Then there are people who are genuinelly depressed and the reason that they self-harm is because they feel numb, if you will. They do it because they want to feel something.

2) Most people start self-harming either to look cool and fit in with their emo fad, because they think they are depressed and then stop when they realise that it hurts, or just to feel something and get over the scary feeling of being numb.

3) There are many ways to self harm. Giving yourself bruises is a common one for "type two" selfharmers, the ones who do it because they think they are depressed when they aren't really. Others include cutting yourself with knives, blades, glass, even earrings. Some people even scratch themselves with their nails. Eating disorders could also be interpereted as a form of self-harm.

4) It really depends on the person. It could be just whenever they feel bad, it could be every day. It's as much as they want to.

5) Yes, there is often a link. As I said, eating disorders can be interpered as a form of self-harm, eg hating yourself enough to starve yourself. Also, sufferers of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and other similar mental illnesses are often self-harmers. Low self-esteem is a culprit also.

6) When you self-harm, the pain usually brings a euphoric feeling. For the truly depressed, self-harm is a way to feel something. The numbness of depression is a very scary feeling, and then, when you feel the pain that self-harming brings, it's very euphoric and emotional. It gives you a feeling of reassurance. Self-harmers often get addicted to this euphoric feeling. It's not quite drug-like, but very, very similar.

7) If you're very in to the self-harming, you'll need professional help to stop. However, if you're just into it as a fad or to fit in, you can usually cop on our of it on your own.

8) Most people start self-harming in ther mid teens, fourteen onwards. The depression that sparks off self-harm can often be a result of a divorce etc.,

If you need any more help, feel free to IM me. I'm also an aspiring writer so if you need help understanding, I'm sure I'll be able to help.

It makes me feel in control of my emotions. Cause I can change mental pain to physical.

I use a razor, sometimes scissors, pins, and when I try to stop, a rubber band.

Family issues- My brother was extremely ill for a long time and no one would tell me what was going on, sometimes I thought something really bad had happened.

-My dad is so introverted that he literally only talks to mum.

-My mum has some psychological issues (maybe bipolar) and wont recognise it.

-And they all smoke weed to get over it.

I self harm twice a day but it varies a lot, from months to weeks to days.

For me it was depression, but there are so many different reasons it could start.

When I do it I feel empty, emotionless and dry.

I need counsiling but some can overcome it themselves.

Males aged between 20-28 are the most common self harmers

Hope this helped.

Good luck with your book.

1. People do it because it releases endorphins when you get hurt, endorphins are natural painkillers that are stronger than morphine!

2. Because they are sad.

3. Well mostly cut themselves with razors.

4. Depends on the person some people do it daily depends how much sadness they have.

5. Of course there is a link depression especially.

6. They feel better, because again of the endorphins.

7. Counsling often makes it worse they feel like they have problems. Most people do it there whole lives, or they just quit.

8. All ages; but mostly when it starts I'd say 12-17 but don't quote me.

Hope tis helps.

What causes a person to engage in self-harm is as varied as the number of people hurting themselves. One cutter that may express the sentiments of many put it this way,” I cannot adequately describe in words my emotional state prior to a cutting. The feelings are overwhelming--usually severe feelings of rejection, self-hatred or anger. Cutting presents a way to make the pain show (and be felt) on the *outside* where I can deal with it." Frequently, as this person points out, self-harm is a coping strategy for dealing with emotional pain that has become intolerable.

An increasing number of children are also engaging in self-harming behaviour. Self harming occurs when someone deliberately hurts or injures themselves by cutting, hitting or burning oneself, overdosing and self-poisoning, taking illegal drugs and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Self-harm is often a way of dealing with difficult feelings about a problem or situation. Children who self-harm may feel more in control and relieved from the tension they feel. Self-harm may also be a way of punishing oneself for something that is shameful and to cope with feelings of guilt.

Suicide and self-harm are often the result of an argument with a parent or a close friend. It is also the result of abuse, neglect and rejection. Anyone struggling to cope with these difficulties is in need of support. Self-harming is often kept secret even from family and friends. For example, someone may refuse to wear short sleeves to hide their scars from others. It is therefore important that when difficulties arise or changes occur in the home or school, friends, parents and teachers observe any changes in the child's behavior, such as becoming withdrawn or aggressive towards others.

This subject is dangerous and you stay away from it.

Writing a story about self harming is going to make more problems.

Why don't you stick to subject that you know about. Better to leave this to someone who has been through it (trust me). Is too complex for blanket answers anyway.

-To release emotions, to stop them from feeling numb, to make the physical pain override the emotional pain.

-To make them feel better, occasionally for attention-rarely that though.

-Cutting, burning, pinching, punching something

-Varies...every night..once a week

-Yeah, there's a link to each, especially depression.

-Everything goes away. Momentary happiness.

-No idea, wish I knew.

-Teenage/early adult

You should research this on your own so you have a better understanding and talk to real people who do things like that.

One more question to add to your list:

Why do people self-harm, and then get on Yahoo to bring all kinds of attention and pity to themselves?

i really dont think you should write a story you clearly know nothing about