How does self harm help you today?

Many people self harm because of distressing past events in their lives, but there may also be things in their lives today that may be hurtful, difficult and distressing.

If you self harm, it may be helpful to have a look at your life and pinpoint things that you are struggling with or that you are finding hard to cope with. These events may trigger your self harm. Try to identify what parts of your life you feel in control of and which parts you don't. Think about your relationships with people. Are they helpful to you, are they important to you? Or are they upsetting you and causing you trouble?

Also you could think about the more material factors in your life, like money and education, work or housing.  Are these things causing you problems?

Are there many things in your life that build your self esteem? Or are there many things that knock it? How much quality time do you keep for yourself? Are you constantly bothered by people, and are you stressed out and run off your feet the majority of the time?

Are you finding it hard to express yourself and your feelings? Can you talk to your friends and family about your problems, and are they able to support you? Do you find it hard to assert yourself? Maybe if you could be more assertive do you think it would improve your self esteem and your confidence?

After answering the above questions you may see some reasons for your self harming. Some reasons why you are self harming today. Having positive AND negative aspects to your life is healthy. No one has an absolutely trouble free life.

Discovering what your present day problems are allows you to look at them and resolve them. And this in turn could help you begin to overcome your self harm.