“Is it still just a joke?”
Over the years, self harm has become a more and more “popular” thing to do. But it’s nothing to be joking about. Self harm is still a very serious, dangerous, and difficult addiction. Of course, those who have never been in the shoes of somebody struggling with self harm will never fully understand what’s actually going on in the minds of those who do it. First, let me give you an idea of what self harm really is.Self harm is usually a result of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, or pretty much any other mental disorders you can think of. Now, not everybody with a disorder resides to self harm. But there are many who do.
The feelings that lead up to harming yourself can be terrifying. Imagine having a searing pain in your chest. A constant knot in your stomach. Shaking. Sweating. You can’t think straight and all you can concentrate on are the negatives. You can’t breathe. And you have nobody to go to. Because nobody seems to understand. You need to find a way to let all of this out. So you pick up a blade, lighter, etc. And you just let it all out. Every wound makes you feel better and better. Like letting the helium out of a stressed balloon. But then comes the guilt. The panic comes again. And you feel even more miserable. And it continues that way. Over and over. It’s a vicious circle.
Self harm is categorized into cutting on wrists. But that’s not always the case. Self harm is also taken place in the form of eating disorders, burning, biting, scratching, bruising, hair pulling, picking or interfering with healing wounds, and much more. And it takes place all over the body. On wrists, arms, legs, stomaches, breasts, chests, feet, hands, fingers, mouths, you name it.
Bullying is one of the main reasons leading to self harm, depression, and suicide. Verbal, physical, mental. Bullying can be done in so many ways. And it needs to come to an end. Slut, whore, gay, lesbian, fat, too skinny, ugly, attention whore, emo, cutter, suicidal, freak, crazy, mental, retarded, stupid. Just one word can affect somebody so greatly. Jokes about self harm are becoming much more popular. As the number of self harmers goes up, so does the number of bullies.
Somebody who self harms, doesn’t always do it for attention. There are millions of people out there who are very skilled at hiding the fact that they self harm. When you make a joke about self harm or suicide, you really don’t know how many people around you you’re affecting.
We can’t put an end completely to bullying. But we can help. You’ve heard it all before. If you see somebody being bullied, please, speak up. Tell an adult, one who will listen and take action. Because not all will. If you’re being bullied, seek help. Take it from somebody who’s been there. It will help you in the end. I promise.
And as for those of you trying to recover, I’m here for you. I’m currently in the process of recovery. After 6 years of self harm. And I’m here to not only tell you that you can do it, but i’m here to be your shoulder to cry on, your friend. The one who will listen. And there are thousands of other people just like me who are out there willing to help you through this.
121 million people worldwide suffer from depression. (World Health Organization)
18 million of these cases are happening in the United States. (The National Institute of Mental Health)
Between 20% and 50% of children and teens struggling with depression have a family history of this struggle and the offspring of depressed parents are more than three times as likely to suffer from depression. (U.S. Surgeon General’s Survey, 1999)
2/3 of those suffering from depression never seek treatment.
(via jessflawless)
