Society's thoughts on self-harm are just wild to me

[itsover14]

So, a decade ago I went through a brief period of self-harm (cutting) to cope with some severe emotional stuff, right. And yet I got to recently get judged for it by someone who smokes and is overweight.

It's just wild to me, because I'd say both those things are worse / more injurious to one's health then some superficial cuts to my body. That, yes, led to some scarring but otherwise didn't impact my health in other ways. In fact provided me with the distraction from emotional pain that I desperately needed.

And yet, society says this way of coping is just 'the worst'. I've never been drunk or high, or smoked a cigarette. I eat huge amounts of fruits / vegetables / whole grains. I maintain a very healthy weight and don't eat a lot of processed foods. Reasonably fit too. (depressingly healthy for someone who's so suicidal, in fact )

Weird how if I'd just gotten drunk people wouldn't judge me for how I handled that period of my life Also weird to me how accepting we (as a society) are of seeing other people do quite terrible self-harm, ie smoking / over-eating etc.

Honestly, at that time, I needed something to distract me from extraordinarily severe emotional pain, and well the knife cut through that (ha!). Nothing else could at the time, I did what I had to, and 'healthy' coping mechanisms couldn't help enough. But if only I'd taken up drinking instead, right?

 

[slitwristsbleedcold]

society is clueless and retarded, some people think suicide is wrong and selfish, imagine.

 

[itsover14]

society is clueless and retarded, some people think suicide is wrong and selfish, imagine.

Very true! That's a big reason why this forum is such a relief, to be around people who understand that it's society that's being selfish and cruel by making us suffer (all to spare them a bit of suffering at our passing).

I don't expect society to change tbh. My faith in humanity died a long, long time ago. Some places (like Belgium and the Netherlands) seem to have a better attitude toward euthanasia than every other country (as in, they allow it for treatment-resistant depression). And even though segments of their society are opposed to it, still enough are for it that it's still a potential avenue.

But instead (outside those countries) get to contemplate brutal and terrifying ways to end our own lives...what kind societies we live in.

 

[slitwristsbleedcold]

Very true! That's a big reason why this forum is such a relief, to be around people who understand that it's society that's being selfish and cruel by making us suffer (all to spare them a bit of suffering at our passing).

I don't expect society to change tbh. My faith in humanity died a long, long time ago. Some places (like Belgium and the Netherlands) seem to have a better attitude toward euthanasia than every other country (as in, they allow it for treatment-resistant depression). And even though segments of their society are opposed to it, still enough are for it that it's still a potential avenue.

But instead (outside those countries) get to contemplate brutal and terrifying ways to end our own lives...what kind societies we live in.

this forum is such a life saver for me, I genuinely wish nothing but the best for everyone here, ily every user sm

 

[itsover14]

this forum is such a life saver for me, I genuinely wish nothing but the best for everyone here, ily every user sm

Absolutely. I don't understand how people can demonize this website when there's so much care and compassion from almost everyone here. Funnily enough, I do believe the members here care more about someone here dying / choosing to live than some pro-life Samaritan!

Wish you the best!!

 

[Forever Sleep]

I imagine society or at least, our governments make more money from people who eat crap or smoke/ drink as a coping mechanism. Maybe it's because they do end up with so much profit/ contributions from the companies that make these products, that we are more or less encouraged into using them. You wouldn't get adverts for razorblades to self harm with! Not to excuse it though. It's obviously still bad to overconsume.

Both my Dad and I are overweight but, that doesn't stop him making jibe remarks about other people's weight. It always really annoys me because I think it's quite possibly because they are unhappy in some way and, they're comfort eating as a result. I look at them and see pain/ pity whereas, I suppose for most, they just find it disgusting.

It's an interesting idea though. I suppose some self harm- so long as it doesn't become addictive, too extreme or become infected, I suppose could well be healthier than other things.

It is definitely weird the way we will more or less stand back from a person drinking or eating themself to death. Respecting their right to choose but, not so much self harm.

Maybe because people can relate more to the mindset of wanting to overindulge on food or alcohol. I imagine many will be aware of the endorphin rush. I suppose they may just have less of a reference point for wanting to cut or hurt themselves. Not to excuse them though.

 

[L'appel Du Vide]

You can recover from excessive food and sometimes drugs more reliability than a lot of SH methods. One friend damaged their nerves badly enough through cutting that they ended up killing themselves over it. (the pain and disability, both were probably going to be permanent) These are more shocking and quickly progressing outcomes from the outside perspective of folks who don't SH like myself. It has an appearance or at least a guise of being more urgent and (like you said) without the more relatable upsides of food or drugs.