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MYTHS
ABOUT SELF- HARM
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| Self-injury
is a failed suicide attempt |
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| It is a
way of coping with life, not a bid to die. Injuries are seldom
life threatening. A survivor may want to kill her feelings -
not herself |
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| It's
attention seeking, ignore it |
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Everyone
needs attention. For some, self-injury is a desperate physical
attempt to draw attention to the mental and emotional pain
they are suffering. This should not be ignored, it is important
to give attention and listen to what the survivor has to say.
On the other hand many people who self-injure hide their injuries
from others. It has far more to do with coping than seeking
attention.The
attention that self-injury receives is likely to be negative.
Seldom does it lead to helping a survivor feel better about
herself or relieving the distress that it caused.
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| Self-injury
is a sign of insanity |
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| This
is not true. It is a sign of distress and of someone trying
to cope with their life, despite great pain. Many survivors,
who self-injure lead successful lives, have careers, partners,
family and friends. |
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| Someone
who self-injures is a danger to others. |
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| Self-injury
is often very private and not openly discussed due to the negative
response it receives. Someone who self-harms is no more likely
to be a danger to others as anyone else. |
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MINIMISING
THE HARM
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| Avoid
drugs and/or alcohol if
you think you are likely to self-harm, so you don't accidentally
inflict a more severe wound than you intended. |
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| Prevent
infection by
using something clean when you cut. Never share what you use
to self-injure. Try to avoid areas where there are major veins
and arteries close to the surface. Make sure your tetanus jabs
are up to date. |
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| Put
burns under cold water for twenty to thirty minutes. Burns
and scalds can be more severe than you think - the pain can
be far worse later. Cling film, loosely covering the burn, can
act as a temporary dressing. You can buy creams, sprays etc.
for burns from your chemist. |
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| Call
an ambulance if
blood is spurting from a wound. Wrap the injury in a clean towel
or tea towel and try and stay calm. |
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| Clean
any cuts with gauze swabs, not cotton wool. Cover with a
dry, non-adhesive dressing. It can be useful to keep antiseptic
creams, sprays etc. handy. Paper stitches can be used to close
superficial wounds. |
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| Be prepared.
Have dressings and antiseptics ready so you can care for
your injuries. You can learn more about looking after wounds,
cuts, burns etc.from a first aid book, someone you trust who
knows about first aid or perhaps the nurse in your doctor's
practice. |
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SEEKING
MEDICAL ADVICE
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| Severe
injuries. If any of your cuts are gaping and deep you will
need medical attention. Try to keep the injured part raised
and apply pressure until you get to hospital, to reduce the
bleeding. You should also seek medical attention for burns larger
than a fifty pence piece, or that have penetrated deep into
the skin. |
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| Infection.
If cuts or burns become infected it is important to get medical
treatment or you may become seriously ill. |
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| Shock
can occur if you lose a lot of blood (i.e. spurting or blood
running continuously) or if you have severe or large burns.
Call an ambulance if this happens. |
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| Poisoning.
If you drink bleach or any other corrosive liquid you can be
in danger of poisoning. In these circumstances you must get
medical advice or attention immediately. |
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| Overdoses.
If you think you may have taken too many drugs (prescribed or
illegal) it is important to get medical help quickly, particularly
with drugs such as paracetamol. |
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GET
SUPPORT
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| We are
a women only service that provides a free and confidential service
to women who have been raped or sexually abused at any time
in their lives (all our workers have training on self injury).
You can contact our Centre via our Helpline (number and opening
times on back of leaflet). Remember you are not alone - there
are many survivors who use self-harm as a way of coping. |
