Self-harming - Signs and Triggers

Self-harming is the act of an individual committing harm to themselves. It is typically a cry for help and can affect anyone at any age. There is no stereotypical profile for a self-harmer so care workers need to understand the warning signs in order to deduce whether someone is engaging in self-harming behaviour. This article highlights some of the common self-harming signs and triggers that care workers may come across.

Identifying the warning signs can be a complicated process. Self-harmers typically carry out self-harm in private and will go to great lengths to keep others from seeing evidence of their activities.

Did you know...
1 in 4 young men self-harm due to depression, anxiety or stress. This includes overdosing, cutting their skin with sharp objects and pulling out their own hair.

What are the warning signs for somebody who is self-harming?

Typically, people associate self-harming with the acts of cutting their own skin with tools such as razors, knives or scissors. Unfortunately, self-harming involves other behaviours that include:

Overdosing - taking a high quantity of over-the-counter, illegal or prescribed drugs
Impact with objects - this self-harming behaviour includes banging or punching objects to the point of bruising or bleeding
Burning skin
Hair-pulling (trichotillomania) - a medical condition where a person feels compelled to pull out their own hair and even ingest the hair
Interfering with healing - the individual purposefully hampers the healing of wounds
Rubbing objects into the skin - this behaviour involves the rubbing of sharp objects, such as glass
Self impact - banging or punching themselves to the point of bleeding or bruising

Overdose signs of self-harming
Overdosing on drugs is a sign of self-harm.

Warning signs for specific behaviours may be particular to that behaviour, though common signs might include:

Secrecy, such as keeping a specific drawer locked or hiding specific items
Unexplained cuts and bruises on the body
Wearing long clothing (sleeves and pants), even in warm weather
A breakdown in general communication
Mood swings or mood changes
Changes to eating patterns
Changes to sleeping patterns
Changes to socialising patterns
Evidence of drug or medical documentation (IE leaflets, pamphlets)
Evidence of carrying unnecessary sharp objects, matches or lighters
Loss of interest in favourite hobbies or sports

Risk factors of self-harming

The chances of an individual engaging in self-harming can be increased if they have experienced specific conditions prior to the act. These risk factors, if present and in conjunction with the common warning signs, can help identify the likelihood that the individual is self-harming.

Common risk factors include:

A history of being bullied
A history of bullying others
A history of sexual abuse
A history of physical abuse
A history of neglect
Mental illness in the family
Substance abuse in the family
Depression

Mental health self-harm signs & triggers
Swings or changes in a person's mood may be a sign of poor mental health.

Self-harming and stress

Stress is another known factor that can lead to or aggravate aspects of self-mutilation. In this instance, the act of self-harming leads to the individual associating self-harming with a coping mechanism for any increase in their stress levels. According to a survey on self-harming by three leading youth charities, nearly a quarter of all male self-harming victims, from 16-24 years old, used it as a way to cope with stress and pressure.