This content might introduce themes and ideas that may be confusing or shocking if you have not experienced them before.
hello,
I have self harmed before ( and am reciving treatment through nhs mental health services) but have recently had difficulty in stopping the bleeding and was wondering if there were any recommended ways as to stop bleeding/treat 'wounds'
Hi there,
Self-harm can be a way of trying to deal with difficult emotions but there are other ways to cope. Getting support can be the first step to finding ways to cope that work for you.
There are lots of reasons why someone might self-harm. Asking for help can sometimes be hard but there is support available. Talking to the people who support you, or a Childline counsellor, about why you self-harm can help you find other ways of coping.
Some self-harm injuries can be treated at home. Apply pressure with a clean bandage or towel to any wounds that are bleeding. If you can’t stop the bleeding it’s important to get medical attention straight away - if you wait, you might not be able to get yourself help later on. The NHS has information about when and where to get medical help.
If you’re struggling to stop the bleeding, or have any other worries about looking after your wounds, you can also call NHS 111 for free. Going to your local walk in health centre, GP surgery or local A&E are options too. If you’re in school, you can always get medical advice from your school nurse or your teacher.
Keeping yourself safe and looking after your wounds is important. Any open wound or broken skin can lead to possible infection so keep injuries clean and covered with a sterile dressing.
For some extra support you could try looking at the message boards. The boards are a positive way of supporting each other and you can read posts by other young people who may be going through a similar experience to you.
Take care and thank you for your letter.
Sam
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.
