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Home
Mental Illness
Depression
>
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Living With
Psychotic Depression
Low Mood & Depression
Anxiety
>
Anxiety disorder in adults
>
Overview
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Self-help
Social Anxiety
>
Symptoms
When To Get Help
How To Overcome
Treatments & Support
Anxiety In Children
Other Types Of Anxiety
Self Harm
>
Overview
Types & Signs
Getting Help
Psychosis
>
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Stress
Eating Disorders
Hearing Voices
Bipolar
>
What Is? What Does It Mean?
Causes
Treatment
Schizophrenia
>
Info & Misconceptions
Symptoms
Treatments & Help
Assessments
Statistics
Alcohol, Smoking & Debt
>
Alcohol & Mental Health
Smoking & Mental Health
Debt & Mental Health
Mental Health Act
Self-assessments
MOOD
Depression
Anxiety
Sleep & Tiredness
Good Health
Counselling
Employment & Sick Leave
Equality Act 2010
>
Overview
Disability Discrimination
Direct Discrimination
Indirect Discrimination
Reasonable Adjustments
Refusal To Make Adjustments
Employment Termination
Taking Action
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Taking Action
Complaining
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Sick Leave, Sick Pay & Fit Notes
>
Sick Leave
Statutory Sick Pay
Fit Notes
When Do I Need A Fit Note
When Do I Need A Fit Note
Fit Note Guidance
Working Whilst On A Fit Note
Fit For Work
Inspirational Videos
Trent Shelton
Jay Shetty
Prince Ea
Steve Bartlett
Lets Talk
Extras
Info, Advice & Guides
Apps
Alexa Skills
Baz Luhrmann
Time To Change
Our Partner Sites
World Mental Health Day
Types of self-harm
There are many different ways people can intentionally harm themselves, such as:
cutting or burning their skin
punching or hitting themselves
poisoning
themselves with tablets or toxic chemicals
misusing
alcohol
or
drugs
deliberately starving themselves
(anorexia nervosa)
or
binge eating
(bulimia nervosa)
excessively exercising
People often try to keep self-harm a secret because of shame or fear of discovery.
For example, if they're cutting themselves, they may cover up their skin and avoid discussing the problem.
It's often up to close family and friends to notice when somebody is self-harming, and to approach the subject with care and understanding.
Signs of self-harm
If you think a friend or relative is self-harming, look out for any of the following signs:
unexplained cuts, bruises or cigarette burns, usually on their wrists, arms, thighs and chest
keeping themselves fully covered at all times, even in hot weather
signs of
depression
, such as low mood, tearfulness or a lack of motivation or interest in anything
self-loathing and expressing a wish to punish themselves
not wanting to go on and wishing to end it all
becoming very withdrawn and not speaking to others
changes in eating habits or being secretive about eating, and any unusual weight loss or weight gain
signs of low self-esteem, such as blaming themselves for any problems or thinking they're not good enough for something
signs they have been pulling out their hair
signs of
alcohol
or
drugs
misuse
People who self-harm can seriously hurt themselves, so it's important that they speak to a GP about the underlying issue and request treatment or therapy that could help them.