Some young people like us hurt ourselves on purpose to deal with our bad feelings. This part is for young visitors who need help.
If you are in crisis and need help now, please go here.
Kinds of self-harm
Self-harm usually starts when people are teenagers. Sometimes people start sooner. Many people who self-harm want to stop thinking about suicide. Experts call it non-suicidal self injury.
Cutting, stabbing, deep scratches
This is the most common kind. About 80% of self-harm is cutting.
- Cuts on skin, especially arms or legs
- Patterns, especially parallel lines
- Using a razor, knife, or other sharp object
Other body injuries
- Burning skin
- Bruising yourself (hitting a body part on something)
- Hitting yourself
- Sticking needles or other things under the skin (self-embedding)
- Hair plucking, especially on face and scalp (trichotillomania, TTM, or trich)
Drugs, chemicals, alcohol
- Alcohol misuse
- Over the counter drug misuse
- Prescription drug misuse
- Drinking small amounts of chemicals like household cleaners
Eating and self-harm
- Anorexia
- Bulimia
- Making yourself throw up
- Exercising till you are hurt
Resources
wikiHOW (wikihow.com)
NAMI (nami.org)
Note: This page is intended for young people ages 13 and above.