08/23/2026
**Not every scar is visible. And not every person who self-harms wants to die.**
Self-harm is often misunderstood. It is **not usually about seeking attention**. For many people, it is a way of coping with emotional pain that feels impossible to put into words.
People may self-harm because of:
🖤 Childhood trauma
🖤 Physical, emotional or sexual abuse
🖤 Feeling numb or disconnected
🖤 Overwhelming emotions
🖤 Anxiety or panic
🖤 Depression
🖤 Shame and low self-worth
🖤 PTSD or Complex PTSD
🖤 Feeling out of control
🖤 Wanting temporary relief from emotional pain
When someone self-harms, the brain can release endorphins—our body's natural pain-relieving chemicals. This can temporarily reduce both physical and emotional distress, which is one reason the behaviour can become difficult to stop. It doesn't mean the person enjoys being hurt. It often means they are trying to survive overwhelming emotional pain.
**The statistics are heartbreaking:**
• Around **1 in 10 adults in England** report having self-harmed at some point in their lives, and among young adults aged 16–24, the figure is **over 1 in 5**.
• Research consistently shows that many people who self-harm have experienced trauma, abuse, or significant emotional distress.
If you know someone who self-harms, try not to judge them. Instead, listen. Be patient. Let them know they are not alone.
💛 Healing is possible.
💛 Recovery is possible.
💛 Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Join our trauma-informed community:
🌿 **[www.recoverytrauma.com](http://www.recoverytrauma.com)**
