Self-harm is painted as a particular portrait of sketched lines across arms, and scars that don’t heal, but there are other ways to self-harm that aren’t as openly discussed. The Oxford Dictionary defines self-harm as, the deliberate injury to oneself, typically as a manifestation of a psychological or psychiatric disorder. The key word there being deliberate. Everyone has unhealthy habits, but if the intention is to hurt yourself, it then becomes a type of self-harm.
So how do we stop these dangerous habits? The first step to combating them is materializing them, changing the label from bad habits to things that damage. To help this, below are listed five ways that you’re self-harming before you pick up the razor.
Sleep Deprivation
A common symptom of depression can be oversleeping, but another sign can be willful insomnia. When you stay awake, because you believe you don’t deserve rest, or you feel a compulsion to keep yourself up, it becomes an act of self-harm.
Lack of sleep can cause moodiness, poor concentration, poor memory, worsened symptoms of depression, hallucinations, and even death.