We all know that suicide is a self-inflicted thing, but did you know that self injury is a serious thing too? Cutting, excessive self piercing, burning, hitting are just some of the ways that a person can inflict pain on themselves. Most of the time it is not a suicide attempt, but a way to release anxiety or pain.
Did you know that 1 out of 5 girls and 1 out of 7 boys have admitted to self-inflicted injury? Did you know that about 50% of self-injury starts around the age of 14 and are sexually abused?
Individuals who are discouraged to express intense emotions, like anger, stress, or sadness, in a healthy way are likely to try self-inflicted injury at some point. It is another way to feel pain in a controlled way. Look for the signs of a person who could be injuring themselves-long sleeves and pants even in hot weather, frequent fresh cuts or bruises, torn hair, low self-esteem, difficulty handling feelings, eye pressing, trouble with relationships.
If you know someone who is self-inflicting injury on themselves, here are a few things that you could do: remain their friend even if you disagree with this, it is a way for them to express themselves right now; avoid panic and shock; do not let them recount the self-injury experience to you; find the right help for them from a mental health professional.
https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/self-injuring-hurting#1
https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/self-injury/self-injury-self-harm-statistics-and-facts
Your Daily Word Prompt – #Inflict – #YDWordPrompt June 20, 2020