Self-injury is an unhealthy coping technique where a person causes bodily harm to oneself. It’s often done to feel something when a sufferer feels numb or to deal with painful internal emotions. It’s a serious problem. Knowing the signs of self-injury can help you aid a struggler in finding help to learn healthy coping techniques.

I started self-injuring at a young age by pulling my hair to relieve my inner anguish. When I started college, I tried different ways to relieve my pain such as burning myself, punching a wall, and cutting. I settled with cutting. It was the only way I knew how to cope with the overpowering emotions of depression. I hid my injuring from my family and friends.

There are signs you need to know that will help you identify self-injury taking place with a friend or loved one. The signs are:

• Wearing long sleeve shirts or pants even when it’s warm out. I wore long sleeve shirts even though it was summertime. I didn’t want anyone to see my wounds.
• Fresh scratches, cuts, bruises, bite marks, or other wounds. I had cuts on my shoulder area and lower arm.
• Excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn.
• Keeping sharp objects or other objects used for self-harm on hand. I kept sharp objects in my bedroom where I injured.
• Scars often in a pattern. I never cut deep enough to cause a lot of scars. I didn’t want people to question why I had scars. However, many who injure do have scars.
• Spending long periods of time alone. I spent a lot of time alone in my bedroom. That’s where I hurt myself.
• Frequent reports of accidental injury.
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. I was depressed when I harmed myself and I thought I was worthless and my life was hopeless. I felt like I had no control over the darkness that was holding me down.
• Difficulties in relationships with others. I lost a lot of friends throughout my school years. When I got older, I became a victim of abusive relationships.
• Behaviors and emotions that change quickly and are impulsive, intense, and unexpected. I went from being calm to emotional in minutes. I couldn’t regulate my emotions and had episodes of anger.

You can find these symptoms and more information on self-injury on the Mayo Clinic website at Self-injury/cutting – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. If you think someone you love is harming him or herself, talk to him or her and urge the person to get help. Tell an adult like a teacher or parent. There is help for self-injury and the struggler can learn healthy coping techniques to deal with his or her pain. I got help and now when my emotions become powerful, I turn to healthy coping techniques like journaling, confiding in my support team, and relaxation techniques.

With new coping techniques. I stand in the light of recovery as a stronger and healthier person.