Last Minute Studying

What are 5 myths about self-harm?

“It’s an emo/trendy thing” (People who fall in this group may not self-harm, and lots of people who don’t fall in this group do self-harm. Also, it is not a trend people outgrow on their own, but a serious condition.)
“People who self-harm are attention-seekers” (Most people who self-harm are very secretive, and often feel very ashamed of it. People frequently make efforts to hide where they’ve self-harmed.)
“If you self-harm you are mentally ill” (Self-harming can be a symptom of other distress but is not a mental disorder in of itself, rather, a method of coping)
“Everyone who self-harms is suicidal/Self-harm is an attempt at suicide” (Most people who self-harm do not go on to attempt suicide. Self-harm is intended to inflict mild to moderate injury as a method of coping)
“If you self-harm you must have borderline personality disorder” (Self-harm is a feature of BPD but self-harming does not mean you have BPD).

What are 5 myths about suicide?

1. Asking people about suicide will put thoughts in their heads. (There is no evidence to suggest this. In fact, asking about suicide is an important step of risk assessment and can give the young person the opportunity to talk about it. Do not avoid these topics due to your own discomfort.)

2. Suicide is contagious (Although there is an increased risk of people attempting suicide after a loved one dies by suicide, this is often combined with pre-existing risk)

3. If you have suicidal ideation, you’re going to attempt suicide (Most people with suicidal ideation do not attempt suicide. In the absence of other suicide risk factors, suicidal ideation alone is low-risk. However, when combined with multiple signs and suicide risk factors, that is when risk is heightened.)

4. Every suicide is preventable (Although there are indicators of suicide, suicide can also be unpredictable. Perpetuating this myth can increase loved one’s guilt)

5. Suicide is selfish (Most people who die by suicide do not want to commit suicide. Rather, they are in great distress and see it as their only option)

What is the cycle of pain?

Thinking about pain often → Stopping other activities such as exercise → difficulty sleeping → School impairment → School absences → Social withdrawal, grumpiness → Thinking about pain

Who is behind much of the literature regarding FNSD?

Kozloswka