Self-Harm

What does self-harm mean?

Self-harming behavior (= SVV) describes actions in which people deliberately injure themselves or inflict pain

There are different types of self-harm behaviour:

  • cutting yourself, e.g. with a razor blade or a piece of broken glass
  • pulling out hair
  • scalding or burning yourself, e.g. with an iron or cigarette butt
  • hitting your head against the wall
  • repeatedly opening wounds and not allowing them to heal

It is often about releasing inner tension and feeling oneself as a kind of outlet for expressing painful feelings such as anger, sadness or fear. In various forms, from mild to severe SVV, more and more damage is inflicted on the body.

What you can do about it

 

Immediate relief measures are things that help you to avoid and/or delay the strong urge to hurt yourself in the short term:

  • do sports, exercise physically
  • box on a cushion
  • Put an ice cube in your mouth or hold it in your hand
  • bite on something spicy (e.g. a chili pepper)
  • take a bath or shower
  • do something creative (paint, write, sing loudly, make music,…)
  • Draw lines on your forearm with a red felt-tip pen

Avoid being alone, talk on the phone or text with friends . 

If you are affected yourself:

 

There is no need to feel guilty or ashamed. Find someone you trust and who is willing to help you, or contact a counseling center.

You think a person in your neighbourhood is hurting themselves

Self-harm is often the only visible part of a person’s distress, thoughts or feelings. Therefore, be careful when you talk to a person about their injuries.

  • Broach the subject gently, but do not blame the person
  • If the person has major injuries, ask him or her to go to the doctor
  • Ask the person how you can best support them
  • Be patient

Counselling Centers – Contacts and contact persons

Handout of the FH OÖ: Need Some Help – First orientation for problems around studying

Extremismus: Anonymous and confidential! Free of charge from anywhere in Austria.

Chat.box: Anonymous online advice and live chat

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