Myths about self-injury
Self-injury is a failed suicide attempt
Self injury is a way of carrying on with life, not of dying. Injuries are seldom life-threatening. It is important to distinguish self-injury from a suicide attempt, so that its true meanings can be understood.
Self-injury is “just attention seeking”
Self-injury is primarily about helping oneself cope with great pain. For some, it is a desperate attempt to show that something is really wrong, and attention should be paid to their distress.
Self-injury is a sign of madness
Self-injury is a sign of distress, not madness; a sign of someone trying to cope with her life as best she/he can.
A person who self-injures is a danger to others
Someone who self-injures is directing his/her hurt and anger at him/herself, not at others. Most would be appalled at the idea of hurting someone else.
Copyright Deb Martinson © 1996-2004 Secret Shame. Used with permission
