Discussion Why is SH so taboo?

[Luv (sic)]

As the title suggests, SH as a topic is usually dismissed. And when you search it on google you're often redirected to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or various clinic websites, without any room for open conversation. The only real community where you can talk about sh is r/selfharm, with a few scattered mentions in SS

I've always found it kind of weird how the topic is so hidden; like it's treated as something that shouldn't be acknowledged, even though so many people deal with it.

 

[Kalista]

it is culturally and medically connected.

it is uncomfortable for most people to see others inflict self-harm. psychiatry considers this act to be connected to disorders, depression..etc.
since medicine functions as 'if this person is hurting or is hurt, they must be cured,' which is then followed with a reactionary response of forcing the individual to be reported, checked-in, or distanced -- not necessarily out of compassion, but as a means to prevent legal or institutional liability.

there are many other reasons. reasons that are ignorant and stems from fear.

 

[Luv (sic)]

Yeah I agree. The system reacts more out of fear and liability than care. I guess SH makes people uncomfortable too, people just have a natrual instinct to fear what they dont know or understand...

 

[JesiBel]

True, they are more horrified by scars and cuts on your body than by seeing people completely drugged and drunk on the streets. Which are more self-destructive actions.

 

[Luv (sic)]

True, they are more horrified by scars and cuts on your body than by seeing people completely drugged and drunk on the streets. Which are more self-destructive actions.

Exactly, sure scars make people uneasy, but things like drug addiction are more normalized. It's as if only certain kinds of pain are "acceptable" to look at.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

Exactly, sure scars make people uneasy, but things like drug addiction are more normalized. It's as if only certain kinds of pain are "acceptable" to look at.

I would argue that alcohol is the only dangerous drug addiction that is pretty normalized, at least from what I have seen. People addicted to other drugs, like opioids, are usually looked down upon and treated like crap.

With that in mind, SH doesn't happen as often compared to drinking, so it would make sense that people are more desensitized to things like seeing drunk people walking down the street compared to seeing people with SH scars.

 

[Luv (sic)]

I would argue that alcohol is the only dangerous drug addiction that is pretty normalized, at least from what I have seen. People addicted to other drugs, like opioids, are usually looked down upon and treated like crap.

With that in mind, SH doesn't happen as often compared to drinking, so it would make sense that people are more desensitized to things like seeing drunk people walking down the street compared to seeing people with SH scars.

Thats a great point! For example In a country where weed would be completely normal (e.g. Canada.) Somewhere else in the world it would be outlawed and frowned upon.

Also I think a big contributeing factor to alcohol being normailzed is mainly beacuase its depiction in alot of tv shows and comercials/ads etc.

That makes me wonder? Is sh normailzed anywhere and if not should it be? Ive also heard the UK mention sh in thier "periodic table of emojis" relased by the GCHQ (UK inteligence agency) maybe sh is more prevelant in the UK? Im not to sure tho lol

 

[ConfusedClouds]

I wonder if its also something to do with inability to explain the scars. I hide mine because I have no words/lose my words. If someone were to ask I would freeze and semi-panic and make a situation where the other person might not have been intending one. So I create the problem as much as any outsiders. Not sure that makes sense

 

[Forveleth]

It is a symptom of a disease no one wants to discuss. People who self harm are in tough situations usually with no one to help them. It gets treated the same as mental illness. It would take time, effort, and money to give people the help they really need and no one wants to do that so society makes those people feel bad about doing what they need to cope. This way they do not talk about it and society can pretend nothing is wrong.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

That makes me wonder? Is sh normailzed anywhere and if not should it be?

I've heard that people in Japan tend not to care as much about people walking around with their SH scars showing, though I don't know if that is true or not.

It is a symptom of a disease no one wants to discuss. People who self harm are in tough situations usually with no one to help them. It gets treated the same as mental illness. It would take time, effort, and money to give people the help they really need and no one wants to do that so society makes those people feel bad about doing what they need to cope. This way they do not talk about it and society can pretend nothing is wrong.

That's not always true. There are cases of people SHing for reasons as mundane as just being curious about it and then becoming addicted to it. I've seen people online admit to doing it because they have a blood kink, because they like the sight of blood because they think that scars are aesthetic, because they are bored, and so on. It's not always a reflection of someone going through a tough situation and needing to cope.

 

[Luv (sic)]

I wonder if its also something to do with inability to explain the scars. I hide mine because I have no words/lose my words. If someone were to ask I would freeze and semi-panic and make a situation where the other person might not have been intending one. So I create the problem as much as any outsiders. Not sure that makes sense

No no i understand what you mean. Scars usualy have so much emotion and depth into them i dont think you could give a specific awnser; it would probably be something general.

And yes i do think alot of people who do sh dont speak up about it; you could even take me as a example it took me so long to open up to anyone/anywhere

 

[Luv (sic)]

I've heard that people in Japan tend not to care as much about people walking around with their SH scars showing, though I don't know if that is true or not.

That's not always true. There are cases of people SHing for reasons as mundane as just being curious about it and then becoming addicted to it. I've seen people online admit to doing it because they have a blood kink, because they like the sight of blood because they think that scars are aesthetic, because they are bored, and so on. It's not always a reflection of someone going through a tough situation and needing to cope.

Ya that sounds like a Japan thing lol. Ive allways found thier cultrure intresting in a sense where, alot of things are more accepatable there compared to the rest of the world.

And I agree altough maybe less often, it is possible for people to sh just to see blood or look a certain way. To be honest, sh is a umberlla term with lots of people from different walks of life.

 

[manicstreetbeeper]

people hate and stigmatize what they don't understand. it's human nature.

 

[Luv (sic)]

people hate and stigmatize what they don't understand. it's human nature.

Honestly its such a shame. Especially considering how hidden sh is anyways.