Why is it so bad?

[x.miranda.x]

Why is self injuring considered a mental illness? I have really always wondered that. I do some, I'm not a severe case, but, it just doesn't seem that bad to me.

 

[explodingboy]

because it's generally a negative impact activity, provoked by a negative stimulus. So it's hardly a contender for good healthy activity.

 

[Criada]

Injuring yourself is normally a way of dealing with pain - emotional pain and trauma for the main part. It's a way of coping, and it's better than not coping, but it isn't a healthy way of coping, and it tends to get worse if you don't deal with the issues that cause it. It isn't a mental illness as such, but it's usually a symptom of mental and emotional distress.
Is there anyone you can talk to about why you do this, sweetie?

 

[x.miranda.x]

I'm not a severe case, and have never been really "severly" depressed. I was just wondering why it was considered to be a "mental" problem. I was just randomly thinking on it, is how I came up with this

 

[Solus Christus]

To be honest, I never understood why it's considered so bad, either. And especially not why people sometimes look down on you if you do it. Personally, I think that some people really need it to cope. I'm not saying that it's the best way to cope, but sometimes it's the only way we know how.

 

[FaithPrevails]

Injuring yourself is normally a way of dealing with pain - emotional pain and trauma for the main part. It's a way of coping, and it's better than not coping, but it isn't a healthy way of coping, and it tends to get worse if you don't deal with the issues that cause it. It isn't a mental illness as such, but it's usually a symptom of mental and emotional distress.
Is there anyone you can talk to about why you do this, sweetie?

I agree with this. Whether it's something done often or infrequently, it's still an unhealthy coping mechanism for an underlying problem. Please find someone to talk to about whatever is causing you to want to self-harm. If you need hotline numbers, I can provide some for you.

 

[LoudIndie]

(((hugs))) I've never really heard of SI described as a mental illness before...it's always been an issue, of course, just not a recognized mental illness on it's own. But at any rate, I guess it's seen as bad because a lot of people just don't understand it. They've never had the experience and maybe aren't even willing to understand. Don't feel bad though - you aren't alone. I bear my scars with pride - what else can I do? No use hating them, I guess.