The Psychology Behind X (Important Video)

Self-harm is a deeply personal and often misunderstood struggle. But what drives someone to engage in this painful behavior? In this video, we explore the psychology behind self-harm—unpacking the emotional and mental factors that may lead someone to harm themselves as a way of coping. Understanding the root causes is the first step in offering support and compassion for those affected.

💡 Please note, this video is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional advice.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This video discusses sensitive topics related to self-harm. Please be mindful of your emotional well-being while watching.

Please share this video.

Script Writer/Researcher: Imoleayo Olorunnisola (Lightoflights) IG: lightoflights
Editor: Isadora Ho
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Animator: ChiquitaFoncy
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong

References
Eisenberger NI. Social pain and the brain: controversies, questions, and where to go from here. Annu Rev Psychol. 2015 Jan 3;66:601-29. doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115146. Epub 2014 Sep 22. PMID: 25251482

[pr]

I think it’s cuz it feels good, it lets out that rage that you can’t outwardly express.

[HollowBird-sv]

I think one thing that wasn't mentioned enough was the myth of self harming for attention. I will never forget the day my friend group first saw my scars, and afterwards one of my (former) friends said to me, "Look, if you want to kill yourself then go get help, but don't make it our problem." I also think it's important to educate teens about self harm as well as bullying and all the rest, so that everyone can start to understand it better.
Edit: I know that some people do it for attention, but I think it's wrong to automatically assume so without giving them a chance.

[solariyaxcz]

watching this because I wanna understand myself

[MAGICstrs]

You feel like you can’t open your mouth so you open you skin and create wounds instead or conversations. This is how I feel

[Princesa_Mei]

I did self harm when I was a teenager and people don't really understand that the root of the problem is really deep. I have been 7 years clean ☺️
Edit: Thank you all for your kind comments and share your experiences, I hope we all continue on the road to recovery. I send you all a big hug 🫂💕✨

[Quickplaywarrior]

Not to mention the fact that being able to cut deep gives u a sense of control and power, like “I can hurt myself more than anyone has ever hurt me”. It really makes u feel safe and secure.

[aerialace]

Hey lady doing the voice over I hope this wasn't too difficult to get through. I heard your voice waver at times and it just felt this was a more difficult one to go through. Just checking much love ❤️

[Johnnieismyhusband]

I started self harm at 10. I was being bulled terriblely. Im 13 now. Still sometimes struggling with it but ive found my people. I get werid looks for my raised scars. I couldnt care less of what they say. Scars shows what youve been Through. Scars tell storys. Scars mean you survied a tough time. You are beautiful with and without scars. But people will say other wise. Im proud of my scars. Im not proud of where they came from however. I may be young. But i know what i want in my life. I know who i trust. I know who i am. I know what i am. You matter.

[shiralony]

Another unmentioned self harming habits can be: Emotional eating, under eating or over eating, dangerous sex behaviours and of course drug and alcohol use

[funnyfish]

Before I became friends with one of my classmates, he used to hurt himself. He said once he cut himself so bad he was rushed to the hospital. He apparently spent a year in a mental hospital (but I am unsure I kinda forgot), but once we became friends, he stopped self-harm. Hopefully he never has to go through this again...

[sleepyghost]

As someone who struggles constantly with the fear of relapsing in self harm, i gotta say, i feel seen. Thank you❤

[beewitching___]

As Someone Who Self Harms, There are so many times I have wanted to die, but every time I self harm, I find myself trying to stop the bleeding after a few minutes.. so that I don’t die. Saying that we are Suicidal doesn’t help, because not all of us are. Yeah I am Suicidal, But I don’t Really want to die. I only want to stop the pain, or just make it not feel as bad..
Thank you for this Video, It really helps to inform people and make them more aware of it.
This stuff is hard to talk about, yeah. But Still, thank you for making this. Much love to everyone at Psych2Go.

And to anyone reading this, You deserve to be here, and you are perfect. No matter what anyone tells you. Because You are here for a reason, and you bring so much Light and Joy into everyone else’s lives! You are Amazing, and Brilliant! and I would Never lie about that to anyone. Stay Safe and look after yourself. Go get a drink of water and a snack, take a break, it’s what you deserve. <3

[Wenixa]

0:25 this used to be me when i was younger "why would someone hurt themselves?" And here I am now, 4 months clean
Edit: thank you for the support!! Reminder that relapses are apart of the healing process and don't feel ashamed if you relapse <3

[noahhasdisconnected]

The narrator sounds very emotional in this one compared to the others. Its very comforting.

[AiginSongbird]

I have struggled with self-harm since I was 10, and even now at 33, I still relapse into scratching and cutting myself when everything feels like too much, when I’m so hurt and overwhelmed that I feel numb, or when I hate myself so much that I feel that I need to punish myself. I feel very lucky to have a good therapist, who always first reassures me that he’s not angry or disappointed that I’ve harmed myself but is more concerned with finding out what triggered the self-harm and soothing the cause.

[ikahayakawa]

For me self harm was to gain the validation, happiness and the attention i lacked as a child, at some I got bad attention like being laughed at for scoring less or bullying but self harm used to make me feel that sense of good attention when people asked me how I was or actually talked to me rather than sitting all alone trying to fit in, however my mother tears and desperate persistence saved my life, it took me a lot of time but I learned to love and who actually love me, tbh now I don't really care whether anyone talks to me or nobody want to be friend with, as long as I have my mom and myself in control I don't need anyone I have the most powerful element on earth and that's love

[ShadowSpark]

it feels good to know that my reasoning behind hurting myself wasnt based on nothing.

[Poe_is_my_husband]

As someone that has been clean for over a year, this is really accurate and it's refreshing knowing people genuinely understand how you don't know how to explain.

[BasicVitAnimations]

it also supresseds suicidal thoughts like "okay now i wanna stop the bleeding" as it also gives a reality check

[Chance.Melodies]

Hey, thank you. I really needed this today. Trying to go on day 2 SH free and I feel like this is even harder than overcoming my other addictions. 10 months sober. Day 2 clean. It has to be worth it… somehow.