Self-injury awareness: There is another way

Self-injury can often be a way in which we learn to cope. It can be a way to help us forget.

It can be something we do automatically when we are feeling depressed, anxious or in emotional turmoil.

Sometimes the most difficult part can be telling someone about it.

Good therapy can:

• Help us do this. It can act as a rehearsal for telling other people in our life about our 'secret'.
• Help us to unburden ourselves so that we feel able to disclose without feeling we are being         judged or blamed.
  
• Help us find our voice again and gain confidence.

We may have learnt to hide our self-injury for so long that we may have reached a stage where we are hiding it from ourselves.

It is understandable to be worried about other peoples' reactions. Will they blame us? Will they laugh at us?

It can feel easier to carry on doing what we usually do even when we would like to stop and find a more healthy way to deal with our emotions.

A good therapist helps us face our fears in a safe place and a safe way. And this can be an important step to take in the recovery process as we access emotional support for our journey ahead.

Sometimes talking about our feelings or learning to talk about them for the first time can help us understand better the reason why we self-injure.

It could be the most important step we take in becoming a happier person.