The Cut That Always Bleeds

By: Yashodhara Nalawade

Photo: Archita Ghadge

Peeping into the mind of someone coping with self-harm is a suffocating reality. Nevertheless, it provides one with the lens to understand that self-harm is not “attention-seeking behavior”, but instead a victim’s call for help. As a rising consequence of mental issues among teens aged 11-18, self-harming is a heavily distressing situation, taking a toll on the health of individuals of all ages. With the stress of school, employment, attending to relationships and other factors increasing, individuals often feel burdened, driving them to unhealthy methods of coping. The act of self-harm refers to the intentional practice of “utilisation or self-injury; that is the intentional injury of one’s own body without suicidal intent by means of behaviours such as cutting, burning, scratching, and interfering with wound healing”, or in simple words: use of physical pain as a means of coping with emotional distress. This coping mechanism, although rare to notice, is more common than we see.

The practice is often a vent to prevent, but those with self-harming triggers, are often at a higher risk of conducting future actions such as suicide. Dr Sonali Gupta, a clinical psychologist in Mumbai, stated in an interview with The Times of India that “the increasing cases of self-harm in adolescents in Mumbai, has reached cases where adolescents injure themselves with knives, blades or even the pointy compass from the geometry box. The self-mutilation, they say, is a method of coping with pent-up stress and anxiety”. It is reported to be more common in girls, yet young boys are self-injuring too. The mere fact that the emotional drive to harm is more common among young adults, is the most prominent tip-off, that should warn society that this issue is real.

Self-harm doesn’t factor in a singular list of causes. In fact, it is anything that might lead the victim to undergo stress, and thus release the tension in some way. Nevertheless, we can identify those with intentions to harm themselves through several variables.

Emotional Turmoil

The overwhelming emotions that self-harmers experience can be akin to a tempest within. Feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, and hopelessness can lead them to seek a physical release. Emotional trauma can sprout from various events or occurrences, ranging from bullying, and cybersecurity attacks, which are a few of the most severe and common causes of self-harm. Individuals struggling with self-harm often grapple with profound feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, which can exacerbate their emotional pain, making them feel worthless.

Surrounding Individual factors

For many, self-harm serves as a coping mechanism—a way to regain a sense of control over their emotions and a means to temporarily alleviate their distress. This can include areas specific to school-related stress. Pressure to strive academically and maintain the highest grades often leads to emotional distress. This is a common symptom among high schoolers and college students, but also extends far beyond, into the academic world of Ph.D.s, doctoral degrees, and engineering, that attend for a lot of academic stimulation. In fact, Indian colleges, report rates of upto 10,335 deaths in 25 years alone, which were reported through the objective of self-harm having “gone too far”.

Relationships

Relationships with friends or family can be overwhelming, leaving people with a need to isolate themselves. These can include parental relationships, divorce, the death of a loved one, friendships, and physical intimacy. Moreover, significant abuse from partners and families can exert an increasing trauma, which is reported to have been a huge factor in victims of self-harm and suicide. The Mental Health Foundation, through conducting reports in UK and Ireland, has stated the numerous negative effects of having unhealthy relationships such as “increase the risk of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts”

There is a risk that self-harm will become normalized for young people, and individuals who start to self-harm when young might adopt the behavior as a long-term coping strategy. As common as these symptoms are, it is beyond a normal person’s ability to diagnose someone, apart from clinically certified psychologists. Thus, it is important to remember that although these are the leading causes of self-harm, there are several other factors that contribute to the same. Such causes can help one delve deeper into understanding the idea behind one’s actions. Often those likely to self-harm have a history of bottled-up emotions, and talking about it with someone trusted can help.

BIOLOGICAL LENS

Family Matters

Although, research suggests that every 1 in 5 women self-harm, an alarming rate of men also resort to self-harm. Some studies suggest that genetics could be a possible causation, making certain individuals more susceptible to self-harm. Dr. Renteria, researcher at QIMR Berghofer, referenced a study of individuals with a history of self-harm, stating, “What this study shows for the first time is that some of this suicidal thinking is genetically based, it’s outside of [the person’s] control.” This reflects the idea that one’s pain might be beyond their reach, and thus it is only best for them to seek psychological counselling. Not only are self-harming tendencies passed down through the genes, but trauma incurred in early childhood could also lead to an increased likelihood of self-harming. Additionally, hormonal behavior too contributes to suicidal thoughts.

The Pain-Pleasure Paradox

When someone self-harms, their body releases endorphins, natural painkillers that can provide a temporary sense of relief or even euphoria. Research suggests that imbalances in brain chemicals, like serotonin, which regulate mood, can contribute to self-harming tendencies. Oftentimes, those trying to quit over the unhealthy use of alcohol or drugs, try to resonate to less mentally, yet more physically harming activities. This unhealthy release of dopamine contributes to a short-term coping mechanism but leads to continuous practices of harmful activities.

TRIGGERS

Understanding what triggers self-harm is crucial for offering support. Not only can we ensure that our actions, and words are filtered, but also provide the help the individual requires. Triggers, tie in with the factors of short-term moments that cause self-harm. They can be tipping-point events for an individual, driving them to resonate with harmful activities. Such ‘pressure cooker moments' of school, family and friendships can reach a boiling point, causing one to burst with anxiety and as a consequence, adopt crippling methods to overcome the stress.

It can be difficult to notice those struggling with self-harm. However, extreme changes in normal behavior can often lead us to worry and thus, hypothesize about their behavior. Although it is unruly to reach facts before presented, it is essential that we be aware of the signs that can be a common window to someone reaching out for help. Signs of self-harm include:

• Always wearing long pants or sleeves

• Recurring scars, in patterns

• Fresh wounds, such as bite marks, bruises, scratches, cuts

• Carrying sharp objects

• Sudden isolation/straying away from social events

• Difficulties in interpersonal relationships

• Excessive use of drugs/alcohol

• Statements of worthlessness, hopelessness or helplessness

• Mood swings/Sudden behavioral changes

Spotting signs can help prevent future attempts to self-harm or even suicide with early intervention. It is always best to check up on someone, even if they do not display the listed signs. You can make a huge change in someone’s life with only a simple question: “Are you okay?”

The complex issue of self-harm requires a compassionate and multifaceted approach. Assisting victims in finding effective coping mechanisms by identifying causes, triggers, and symptoms can allow us to work towards a future of empathy and understanding. As a growing generation, evolving in aspects of society to breaking cultural norms, it’s essential that we prioritize those seeking support against self-harm. Most of all, it is important to break the stigma that self-harm isn’t attention-seeking. It’s a silent cry for help.

Bibliography:

Kumar, Chethan. “One Every Hour: At 10,335, Last Year Saw Most Student Suicides in 25 Years.” The Times of India, 7 Sept. 2020, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/one-every-hour-at-10335-last-year-saw-most-student-suicides-in-25-years/articleshow/77969096.cms.

Campbell, Denis. “One in Five Young Women Have Self-harmed, Study Reveals.” The Guardian, 5 June 2019, www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/04/one-in-five-young-women-have-self-harmed-study-reveals.

Campbell, Denis. “One in Five Young Women Have Self-harmed, Study Reveals.” The Guardian, 5 June 2019, www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/04/one-in-five-young-women-have-self-harmed-study-reveals.

Layt, Stuart. “Researchers Discover Genetic Link to Self-harm Ideas and Actions.” Brisbane Times, 28 Aug. 2020, www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/researchers-discover-genetic-link-to-self-harm-ideas-and-actions-20200828-p55qdg.html.