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I often hear people say that self injury is a cry for attention, after all, who would WANT to hurt themselves?
The answer? No body wants to hurt themselves.
It is not a cry for attention. There are serious situations behind those self inflicted wounds/depression/anxiety and other such problems. The person often times feels as though there is no other outlet and when all their resources are exhausted, it is a last resort.
The problem then becomes it forms into an addiction. They try to stop when they realize what its done to them they want to stop. But the brain is now accustomed to that cycle of whatever the trauma is and then hurting themselves. Many times a person who does these things will say "I don't remember when it got this bad, I just know I can't stop"
From an inside perspective I can say that unfortunately especially in the Christian community these things and feelings tend to get swept under the rug because people don't know how to approach the self harmer/suicidal person so they say "just pray and trust God" and yes they should but chances are they have prayed and searched for God until they were blue in the face. What has worked for me and many of the young people I mentor is this:
If the person begins talking about death or suddenly becomes very anxious ask them:
- Is there anything I can help you talk about? I will listen. I care even if you feel like you are alone, I'm right here.
- Do you really feel like death will make things better? (If they say yes please do not ignore this and take them to a therapist or someone who can help on a medical level) try to remind them of times they view as good moments with you and how much you enjoy having them in your life, how saddened you would be if they left.
Remember, they are talking to you most likely because they view you as their only physical hope. Something in them sees you as being their hero. Guard yourself but do everything in your power to help that person. Slowly introduce bits of hopeful scripture into their healing so they know that God is there He is real and He does save! Bit he is also a practical God and uses His children to help others.
Some scripture that helped save me:
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
Psalms 31:24
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord"
Galations 5:5
"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of rightiousness by faith"
Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose"
The answer? No body wants to hurt themselves.
It is not a cry for attention. There are serious situations behind those self inflicted wounds/depression/anxiety and other such problems. The person often times feels as though there is no other outlet and when all their resources are exhausted, it is a last resort.
The problem then becomes it forms into an addiction. They try to stop when they realize what its done to them they want to stop. But the brain is now accustomed to that cycle of whatever the trauma is and then hurting themselves. Many times a person who does these things will say "I don't remember when it got this bad, I just know I can't stop"
From an inside perspective I can say that unfortunately especially in the Christian community these things and feelings tend to get swept under the rug because people don't know how to approach the self harmer/suicidal person so they say "just pray and trust God" and yes they should but chances are they have prayed and searched for God until they were blue in the face. What has worked for me and many of the young people I mentor is this:
If the person begins talking about death or suddenly becomes very anxious ask them:
- Is there anything I can help you talk about? I will listen. I care even if you feel like you are alone, I'm right here.
- Do you really feel like death will make things better? (If they say yes please do not ignore this and take them to a therapist or someone who can help on a medical level) try to remind them of times they view as good moments with you and how much you enjoy having them in your life, how saddened you would be if they left.
Remember, they are talking to you most likely because they view you as their only physical hope. Something in them sees you as being their hero. Guard yourself but do everything in your power to help that person. Slowly introduce bits of hopeful scripture into their healing so they know that God is there He is real and He does save! Bit he is also a practical God and uses His children to help others.
Some scripture that helped save me:
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
Psalms 31:24
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord"
Galations 5:5
"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of rightiousness by faith"
Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose"
