Dr Health: Effects of self harm

With Kazembe
What is self harm?
Self harm is the act of deliberately harming one’s own body, such as cutting or burning oneself.
Why do some people cut themselves? Some people often find it hard to deal with certain overwhelming issues in their lives so they turn to skin-cutting as a resolution.

It is typically not meant to be a suicide attempt but they may feel that it helps them to stop thinking about difficult issues that they might be experiencing in their lives.

What are the dangers of skin cutting?

Use of unsterilised objects such as razors can be dangerous and may lead to spread of infection from one person to another.

The cuts can become infected and develop pus

Cutting can leave permanent scars.

It can turn into a compulsive and repetitive disorder.

If veins or arteries are cut, it can lead severe loss of blood.

How to stop cutting yourself
Confide in an adult that you trust. This can be a teacher or one of your parents.

Go for counselling. A therapist can help you to find healthy ways of dealing with stress and hardships

Call Childline Zimbabwe on 116 or visit www.childline.org.zw to ask for help.

Exercise regularly or listen to relaxing music with positive themes

Some people find squeezing a stress ball-helpful

How to help someone who cuts themselves

Encourage them to open up to adults who they trust.

Reassure them that you care about them and that other people care for them as well. This will help them to feel less overwhelmed.

Don’t judge them. Judging someone who cuts themselves can make them feel worse.

True story
When l started High School, l was bullied on a daily basis. I was the fat, ugly kid who everyone laughed at, and things were generally worse at home. l felt as though l was the disappointment in the family. I started isolating myself from my friends and l started cutting myself. I somehow got pleasure from cutting myself. It became an addiction and l couldn’t stop cutting myself. One day my sister noticed that l had cuts all over my wrists and she told my mother.

I opened up to my mother and I started going for counselling. I didn’t stop cutting immediately, it took me a year to get over the habit. I regret cutting myself because l will always remain with the scars .My advice to anyone who is cutting themselves or to anyone who feels like cutting themselves is that they should seek help from someone who can give them guidance and counselling.- Kidshealth.org.