Understanding self-harm
Page 5
Short Report
Control
Key findings:
- One in three participants had at some point harmed in order to feel in control
- 17% used self-harm to control (rather than just release) emotions
- 28% used self-harm to control their behaviour
The concept of ‘control’ is often mentioned in the context of self-harm. Over a third of our participants reported having harmed in order to feel in control. One of its possible meanings has been discussed above: emotion control. Another, behaviour control, was mentioned in the context of suppressing expression of thoughts and emotions in behaviour. Another form of behaviour control was also very important to the participants: over a hundred participants wrote about using self-harm to prevent suicide. This subject is discussed in more detail below, under the heading: ‘Common misperceptions’.
In addition to the abovementioned meanings for ‘control’, it seems that there is also something like a ‘sense of control’ that goes beyond emotion control and behaviour control, something that is part of our taken-for-granted experience, something nobody thinks about until it is suddenly gone. Self-harm can restore this feeling of being in control. Some participants connected this feeling with being able to function and focus, e.g. “It helps me regain a sense of control and so enables me to get on with everyday things again.” Can you describe this feeling of control, and what it feels like when you don’t have it? Click here to email us.