"Self-harm usually starts as a way to relieve the build-up of pressure from distressing thoughts and feelings. This might give temporary relief from the emotional pain the person is feeling. It’s important to know that this relief is only temporary because the underlying reasons still remain. Soon after, feelings of guilt and shame might follow which can continue the cycle. Because there may be some temporary relief at the start, self-harm can become someone’s normal way of dealing with life’s difculties. This means that it is important to talk to someone as early as possible to get the right support and help. Learning new coping strategies to deal with these difculties can make it easier to break the cycle of self-harm in the long term."
University of Oxford