Why do I feel the need to hurt myself?

Self-harm (cutting, burning, punching, etc) is a common but often misunderstood act. Individuals who self-harm do so for a variety of reasons, and rarely is it done with the intent of suicide or extra attention. Reasons include depression, anxiety, confusion about sexual orientation, hopelessness, stress relief, “to feel something” or “to feel nothing.”

Important things to know about self-harm are that it can be addictive and there are side effects (like blood loss or skin infection) that can result. If you know someone who self-harms, it’s kind to hold judgement and to express support. If you self-harm, consider talking with your doctor or reaching out to a help line (the crisistextline.org has a service dedicated to self-harm).