The cycle of self-harm
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Cycle of self-harm - Introduction
Self-harm can bring a momentary sense of calm to negative feelings and emotions. However, this is often temporary and can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. This in turn can stimulate the original emotions which can lead to further self-harm. This is commonly known as the self-harm cycle.
Cycle adapted from the Sutton, J. (2007). Healing the Hurt Within: Understand Self-injury and Self-harm, and Heal the Emotional Wounds. 3Rev Ed edition. Oxford: How To Books p.187.
Children and young people are dogged by negative thoughts causing internal turmoil.
Children and young people experience powerful feelings of emotional distress and feel frightened, desperate, or dissociated (‘numb’).
Children and young people feel out of control, or ‘too numb’ and experiences a compelling urge to self-harm.
Children and young people self-harm which helps elevate the sense of panic and negative feelings.
Children and young people feel calm, in control, and are able to think more clearly. The self-harm appears to reduce the individual's level of emotional and physiological arousal. This is where a children and young people would typically present to the emergency department.
The reality of the children and young person's actions starts to sink in, which can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, self-disgust or even self-hate. This can evoke the original emotions and thoughts and return the child and young person to point A in the cycle.
Angela's story"Self-harming used to help me a lot. Whenever I felt down, I would self-harm. Immediately after I had self-harmed, I felt ok, but looking back now I'd obviously feel guilty. The thing is all that stuff at school was still happening so I just continued. I didn't know what else to do?"
Tim's story"I find it hard to cope with how angry I feel most of the time, so I cut myself. First time I did it I was on the internet and saw some guy talking about how it helped him, so I thought I'd try it. I guess it went from there really. I don't even know why I keep doing it? I guess it makes me feel better straight away, then after a bit of time the feelings all just come back and I felt as guilty as hell and the only way I can cope with it all is to do it again."
[Biographical account read by actors]
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