{"id":5288,"date":"2025-03-10T14:32:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T23:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/?p=5288"},"modified":"2026-04-29T13:29:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T21:59:23","slug":"self-injury-awareness-understanding-the-struggle-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/pt\/self-injury-awareness-understanding-the-struggle-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Injury Awareness: Understanding the Struggle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Self-Injury Awareness: Understanding the Struggle<\/span><\/h1><\/div>

Autoflagela\u00e7\u00e3o<\/span><\/a> is something a lot of people struggle with in silence, often feeling ashamed or unsure of how to ask for help. But opening up the conversation and talking about it with empatia<\/a> can make a huge difference. When people feel seen and supported, it can be the first step toward healing. A little understanding really does go a long way.<\/span><\/p>\n

When someone deliberately hurts themselves\u2014often through <\/span>corte<\/span><\/a>, burning, or scratching\u2014it\u2019s usually done as a way to cope with overwhelming feelings that come with living with conditions like <\/span>depress\u00e3o<\/span><\/a>, anxiety, OCD, or past<\/span> trauma<\/span><\/a>. It is a serious sign of emotional distress and a way of trying to manage pain that feels too big to handle alone. Unfortunately, this behavior is still widely misunderstood, and that misunderstanding can make it even harder for people to reach out for help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fostering understanding is the first step to helping people find healthier ways to cope so they can begin to prioritize their psychological well-being and heal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why would someone self-harm?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first step<\/span> to helping someone who is struggling is understanding why they might hurt themselves. This behavior isn\u2019t always linked to suicidal ideation. Many times, it\u2019s a way to deal with strong emotions, mental distress, or a feeling of losing control.<\/span><\/p>\n

People often do this because of internal pain. Some use it to let out feelings like anger, sadness, or<\/span> ansiedade<\/span><\/a>. Others may want to feel something during times when they feel emotionally numb. For people with mental health challenges like<\/span> obsessive-compulsive disorder<\/span><\/a> (OCD), hurting themselves may come from obsessive thoughts or behaviors. Survivors of trauma may also turn to this as a way to handle their past experiences or feel in control of their mood.<\/span><\/p>\n

This can happen to anyone, but it\u2019s especially common among<\/span> teenagers<\/span><\/a> and young adults.<\/span> Pesquisa<\/span><\/a> shows that about 17% of young people have harmed themselves, usually starting after age 10. Adults may also struggle with this, but they often hide it because of shame or fear of judgment.<\/span><\/p>\n

These behaviors can sometimes be related to other issues like addiction, alcohol use, substance abuse, or mental health conditions.<\/a> People may also be dealing with bullying, depression, or a disease that affects the brain. Some may use medication, but that alone might not be enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to see this behavior as a sign that someone is dealing with something painful, not as a way to get attention. They need support, not blame. Learning why people do this helps us reduce the stigma and encourages healthier ways to cope and heal.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the signs of self-harm?<\/span><\/h3>\n

When someone is going through emotional pain, they might turn to physical ways of coping that are often misunderstood. These actions are usually done in secret and can take many forms\u2014not all of them obvious. Recognizing the signs is a crucial step in offering support and understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the more common behaviors include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Cutting the skin with sharp objects<\/span><\/p>\n