ABSTRACT
Self-harm is a common problem, though one which is difficult for people to admit as they may feel ashamed, stigmatised or ‘crazy’. It may seem shocking to others, yet this is hypocritical as most of us do things, such as smoke cigarettes, which are harmful to us. Approximately 60 per cent of people with borderline problems self-harm. People harm themselves for a number of reasons. It is a way of managing intolerable distress. This may include feelings and beliefs about their own badness, in which case the self-harm can be a form of punishment. People often describe self-harm as giving a powerful physiological release of tension or stimulation. It may increase levels of endorphins which help reduce pain and induce a state of relaxation (Parkin and Eagles, 1993). It can also give a sense of control over feelings which are otherwise out of control, a way of externalising internal pain or chaos (Leibenluft, 1987), or getting anger out (Favazza and Conterio, 1989). It is rarely an attempt at suicide and can actually help to stave off attempted suicide (Babiker and Arnold, 1997).
