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Revealed: The Surprising Secret to Stopping Self-Harm

Transforming Emotional Pain into Positive Expression!

Timothy Harrington
3 min readJan 28, 2024
Photo by Sanket Mishra on Unsplash

Introduction

As a family coach with two decades of experience, I’ve seen how vital it is for individuals, especially young adults, to feel their needs are legitimate without resorting to self-harming or self-defeating habits. This journey begins with understanding that more than a diagnosis, people yearn for safe connections with others, especially family members and their environment.

Understanding the Roots of Self-Harming Behaviors

Exploring the Underlying Causes

Self-harming behaviors often stem from unmet emotional needs, stress, trauma, or a lack of coping mechanisms. These actions, while harmful, can be a person’s way of communicating internal pain or seeking control in a world where they feel powerless.

Recognizing the Cry for Help

In my practice, I’ve seen how these behaviors signal a deeper need for connection and understanding. For example, a teenager I worked with used self-harm as a way to express feelings of loneliness and inadequacy that he couldn’t verbalize. What one can say is, “I see that you’re struggling. It must…

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Timothy Harrington
Timothy Harrington

Written by Timothy Harrington

Champion of Family and Community Powered Change Related to Addiction, Mental and Emotional Health Challenges

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