Recently, a survey was conducted to help people better understand the many questions surrounding self-harm. Here are the results.
How old are you?
| 13 or younger | 12 | 4.6% | 14 | 32 | 12.26% | 15 | 52 | 19.92% | 16 | 52 | 19.92% | 17 | 38 | 14.56% | 18 | 18 | 6.9% | 19 | 22 | 8.43% | 20 or older | 35 | 13.41% |
How long have you been self-harming?
| Less than a year | 62 | 23.75% | 1 to 2 years | 83 | 31.8% | 3 to 5 years | 75 | 28.42% | More than 5 years | 41 | 15.71% |
Have you ever seen or spoken to a doctor or other type of professional about your self-harm?
| Yes | 119 | 45.59% | No | 142 | 54.41% |
How many people know that you self-harm?
Nobody, I always hide it 34 13.03%
Only one person or a few close friends 165 63.22%
I tell/show lots of people 2 0.77%
Lots of people know, but not because I purposely tell/show them 60 22.99%
Why do you self harm? (Pick the one that you feel applies most to you)
| It's how I cope with life when it gets tough | 84 | 32.18% | It makes me feel like I am in control | 51 | 19.54% | It calms me down and helps me think straight | 65 | 24.9% | I do it for attention; it makes me feel better when I see that people care about me | 8 | 3.07% | Other (please specify below) | 53 | 20.31% |
How do you feel before you self-harm?
| Angry/Frustrated | 66 | 25.29% | Depressed | 71 | 27.2% | Excited/Anxious | 12 | 4.6% | I feel different every time | 112 | 42.91% |
How do you feel while you are self-harming?
| Excited/Anxious | 57 | 21.84% | Depressed | 102 | 39.08% | Really happy | 19 | 7.28% | Sexually aroused | 5 | 1.92% | I never remember | 78 | 29.89% |
How do you feel after you self-harm?
| Excited/Anxious | 12 | 4.6% | Ashamed/Regretful | 78 | 29.89% | Same as I did before I started - Depressed | 41 | 15.71% | Just content | 130 | 49.81% |
Do you feel pain while you are self-harming?
| Yes | 64 | 24.52% | Yes, but it doesn't feel like I think it should | 64 | 24.52% | No, but I can feel it | 100 | 38.31% | No, I feel nothing | 28 | 10.73% | I never remember | 5 | 1.92% |
What methods of self-harm do you practice?
| Cutting | 256 | 98.08% | Hitting/Bruising | 120 | 45.98% | Scratching | 171 | 65.52% | Wrist banging | 69 | 26.44% | Taking pills and overdosing | 98 | 37.55% | Picking at pimples | 104 | 39.85% | Head banging | 52 | 19.92% | Biting | 97 | 37.16% | Hitting walls | 72 | 27.59% | Scab picking | 155 | 59.39% | Trichotillomania (hair pulling/excessive plucking) | 43 | 16.48% | Eating disorder (anorexia) | 88 | 33.72% | Eating disorder (bulemia) | 51 | 19.54% | Eating disorder (binge eating) | 65 | 24.9% | Other (please specify below) | 41 | 15.71% |
Have you suffered from any of the following?
| Physical abuse | 77 | 40.53% | Sexual abuse | 73 | 38.54% | Verbal abuse | 168 | 88.42% | Family violence | 67 | 35.26% | Loss of a parent | 29 | 15.26% | Childhood illness | 24 | 12.63% |
Do you do any of the following?
| Smoke | 86 | 33.73% | Smoke marijuana | 73 | 23.92% | Do heavy drugs | 21 | 8.24% | Drink excessive amounts of alcohol | 52 | 20.39% | Have an eating disorder | 102 | 40% | Get into a lot of fights | 34 | 13.33% | None of the above | 84 | 32.94% |
If you could somehow magically erase all your scars, would you continue to self-harm?
| Yes | 219 | 83.19% | No | 42 | 16.09% |