Do thoughts of self-harm come with Bipolar Disorder? (Bipolar Disorder and Self-Injury)

Do you sometimes feel like your feelings of sadness, anger, or fear are too much to bear? At times like these, some people are tempted to self-harm to relieve the unbearable pressure. This is a very sensitive topic, but it is very important that we talk about it openly. Because it is a great strength to know that you or a loved one who is going through this situation are not alone.

What exactly does self-harm mean?

Simply put, self-injury is an attempt to deal with and escape negative emotions such as anger, sadness, and anxiety that are too much to bear and difficult to control. It is not usually a one-time thing, and can happen repeatedly.

Imagine, there is a young person, he has `(Bipolar Disorder)`. His emotions go up and down suddenly. Some days he feels unbearable sadness, loneliness, hopelessness. At that time, to get rid of that pain, to distract himself from that feeling, he picks at his hand or cuts it with something sharp. Although it seems to give temporary relief at the time, it is a very dangerous and unhealthy act.

This behavior is often seen among people who have experienced traumatic events during childhood or early life.

What are the ways to harm yourself?

Cutting the skin with a sharp object is one of the most common methods. Apart from that, there are a number of other methods.

• Burning
• Intentional body-shaming
• Self-harm or self-harm
• Biting oneself
• Hitting your head on a wall or other object
• Recurrent skin lesions
• Sometimes hair pulling

Some people do this as a ritual, planned out. For others, it's a sudden urge to do this when they can't handle the intense pressure that comes on suddenly. It's like something they do to get instant relief from the accumulated stress.

No matter how you do it, it is a very harmful and dangerous act. It can leave deep scars , both physically and mentally.

Why would someone do something like this?

While there are healthy ways to deal with stress, like exercising, some people also resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like this. Self-harm is another unhealthy coping mechanism for some people.

In addition, some people with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses are more likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. Experts believe that all of these risky behaviors are attempts by the patient to relieve themselves of the unbearable stress and discomfort they are experiencing.

But like drugs and alcohol, self-harm is not an effective way to relieve emotional distress. That's why it's essential for people with mental illness, especially those who have experienced traumatic experiences in childhood , to talk to their doctor and learn about appropriate and effective ways to manage their emotions.

Is this a suicide attempt?

It is true that people with bipolar disorder are at higher risk of suicide. According to surveys, between 25% and 50% of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide. However, not everyone who harms themselves attempts suicide.

Often, self-harm is a way to cope with the pain of life, unable to bear it. Suicide is an attempt to end one's life. The two have different goals.

How can I get help to get out of this situation?

If you or a loved one has bipolar disorder and self-harm, it's important to work with your doctor to manage your condition. By managing your moods, you can avoid the overwhelming feelings of sadness or anxiety that can lead to self-destructive behavior.

Remember, self-harm is not a symptom of Bipolar Disorder, but it can be a symptom of another condition. For example, Borderline Personality Disorder. It requires separate treatment. In treating this type of behavior, psychotherapy methods such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are the mainstay.

Here are some other ways to help manage your Bipolar Disorder:

• Regular doctor visits: Visit your doctor on scheduled dates for mental health checkups.
• Taking prescribed medications: Take the medications prescribed by your doctor every day as prescribed, whether you have symptoms or not.
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol: These can cause mood swings.
• See a trusted therapist: Seek help from behavioral therapy to learn healthy ways to manage your emotions.
• Support groups: Join support groups that understand you, and strengthen the support of family and friends.

If you feel your symptoms are getting worse, contact your doctor immediately. Sometimes, changing the dosage of your medication can help control your symptoms of depression or mania/hypomania.

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