Feeling like hurting yourself

It can be so hard to express how you’re feeling or deal with strong emotions. These intense feelings can make some people want to hurt themselves on purpose, or ‘self-harm’.

If you are thinking about hurting yourself and need urgent help, click here

There are also lots of other organisations who can provide less urgent support – see our section What's in Dorset for me? or take a look at the links below for more details.

Why do people self-harm?

There are many reasons why people might want to hurt themselves on purpose. For some people it is a way to cope with or express overwhelming emotions, or to relieve tension that’s just too much. Self-harm can also be a way of showing someone how upset you feel. It can be a way of asserting some control, especially if other parts of your life feel out of control or you’re trapped in a difficult situation.

People self-harm for many different or personal reasons and you may not fully understand why you want to – but there are different ways to cope and get help.

Self-harm can take many different forms. Some people may take risks, such as starting fights, hanging out with people who are not good for them or taking risks that put their lives in danger. Using drugs and alcohol can also make people take risks and do things that they wouldn’t normally do if sober.

This video from YoungMinds looks at some of the issues facing people who self harm and provides reassurance that things can and do improve:

 

You might also find these helpful...

What is self-harm? (YoungMinds)

Self-harm is difficult to talk about but it’s a common problem and you can beat it. This advice from YoungMinds may help

Self-harm help (Mind)

Explains self-harm, including possible causes and how you can access treatment. Includes tips for helping yourself

Self-harm: How CAMHS can help

CAMHS can provide support to young people who self-harm, by working through difficulties and helping to find other ways of coping with strong feelings