Self harm and lack of mental illness
 

Hi All,

Posting here as I don't feel it really fits on to the SH board.

Really as the Title suggests. Can self harm be present with out a diagnosis of a mental health condition.


I've read somewhere its not MH condition but rather a symptom.

what do you guys think

Also released i just posted in the wrong place completely - sorry!

Generally it appears to be viewed as a symptom, but that covers a lot of issues such as Autism, OCD, depression, anxiety, psychosis etc. so it's not necessarily something that happens because people are depressed, but at the same time, tends to be an expression of some for of distress. Which doesn't mean it always is.

What do you think makes you self harm?

Who knows.

I just wondered what other people thought. As I have no diagnosis but SH.

What do you think makes you want to self harm? As in, what do you feel right before?

The need to, like the actually need to.
Basically if you were to go onto a site that says why. I'd properly say yes to most of them.

Well, some of those feelings are "anxious" "sad" "empty" "distressed" "angry". Do you think those are true?

Yeah.
also, overwhelmed , not real feeling and to have a sense of control

Hey no diagnosis here either, only depression and anxiety, no real mh condition, although I just think it's doctors avoiding labelling people on government say so, I have been sh-ing since I was 11, I'm now 28, I often feel a lack of anything, sometimes my sh is simply an outlet, to feel something, not to just fade away, so like you say is it a symptom, I personally believe it is a demonstration of something, of distress, from environmental factors, but most of all a reaction inside that is seeking some kind of feeling that we're still alive, nobody can truly answer this question, as the answer will only ever be each persons individual feelings on the answer, there is really no right or wrong answer here, only you can know the real reason behind your sh and why, but sometimes you just choose not to think about those things, shut out those thoughts as a self protective measure :)

Hey Stumpy, you speak some very wise words and its very true. its very individualistic.

I think I'm just struggling with it at the moment as I'm not even classed with having depression ( which btw is a very real MH condition)

:)

Depression and anxiety are "real" mental health conditions. I have no idea why you'd think they weren't.

I'm sorry you're struggling littlehippo. Your feelings and your reasons of self harm are totally valid, regardless of any diagnosis of mental illness. Do you have any support with it?

Hey LittleHippo,
Just wanted to share that I think RYL is the right "place" so don't worry too much about the threads as the moderators here are really great about keeping things together.
I hope that you find the support you need in this community. I have found it a really safe space as a non US/UK person- in my country self harm has a significant taboo and not discussed. I like Stumpy started self harming as a pre teen with no diagnosis. At that time my life was gradually getting more and more out of control. So I totally relate to feeling overwhelmed.

After 3 decades......I have learned to deal with my triggers differently. Technically self harm is a form of coping which isn't ideal- but on RYL it's all about non judgement. I have both formal and additional "diagnoses" but it does not make it any easier.

You are the best expert on you.....I hope that you get to learn more here.
Hugs.

I guess it's just the general attitude in my family, they treat it like it's something trivial, so I don't really feel it as real as say BPD, Personality disorder, or other such MH conditions, I think it's because of the general family and doctor attitude, of stop being silly, pull yourself together etc, these are the kind of attitudes I've had to put up with, I guess it makes me doubt the reality of my MH conditions, as yet another label, it's so frustrating, as my friends who have very similar MH issues who actually have a diagnosis like BPD actually get more help and support than I do, and also higher rates of benefits, making me feel less important :-( :pinch:

Hey guys,
Thanks for your replied
No I don't have any support as im on a waiting list for something and im classed as low risk etc. ( i feel this to be untrue. ) and that makes it seem not as big a deal.

Ahh Stumpy they are real.
I understand what you mean as I feel as if maybe its all kind of just made up in my head.

Thanks, waiting for support is a nightmare, I don't get any support at the moment either, MH support is practically non existent in my area, when I last had support, about 2 years ago now, I was discharged from the psychiatrist, after just 6, 10 minute appointments, where they tried about 10 different meds, finally to discover that my body is intolerant to the anti depressants, and no matter what I tried they caused me to bleed, now I'm not allowed to have any antidepressants, I have no CBT, no talking therapy, no help for my agoraphobia from constantly isolating myself.

I hope you have more luck than me, the best support I had was my drug and alcohol counsellor who I have not seen since last October, I believe he's retired, I was seeing him every fortnight, and he not only used to deal with my drug and alcohol issues, he also dealt with my mental health, going above and beyond his job, he has since never been replaced, so all I have left are diversionary activities arranged by the drug and alcohol service.

Thanks serendipity & littlehippo, I'm glad you agree that my MH conditions are real, sometimes it's good not to feel quite as alone :)

Good Luck littlehippo, hope you get the support you need :) x