The Comfort Level in Discussing Self-Harm

To Talk or Not To Talk About Self-Injury

When it comes to talking about uneasy topics, everyone holds a different opinion. Many people stray away from conversations surrounding religion or politics because it makes them anxious. Maybe you feel uncomfortable when others openly discuss sex or drugs because you’ve never been that way.

For some people, discussing difficult topics can be more comfortably done in a personal setting while others would rather talk about it in a large group. When I speak to health classes about my novel, Noon, I find myself more at ease talking about my past relationship with cutting to a larger group.

When it comes to speaking to friends on a personal level about my past, I freeze up and become emotional. Still to this day, I have such a tough time bringing up scenes from my past to those close to me. I can only guess that this difficulty roots from stepping into your past and bringing those you love along with you.

Sometimes that journey can be the scariest one they have ever traveled.

There is Always Difficulty When Discussing Self-Harm

Like I have said numerous times, it is important to speak about your struggle with self-injury. By discussing these frustrations, you may be able to get a view from someone else you wouldn’t have grasped without them. However, disclosing information about your self-harm can be one of the most uncomfortable tasks you have ever attempted.

I’ve noticed, more and more over the years, how easy it is to talk about other tough experiences from my life compared to discussing my past with self-harm. Recently I was in a conversation with someone and I brought up my brother who died from cancer six years ago. I am able to talk about my brother’s death with such ease that sometimes I think it makes others confused. However, I know that I can talk about my brother’s death because it has yet to truly sink in.

When it comes to discussing my years of cutting, the truth is right there on my skin every time the topic is brought forward.

It Takes Time to Find Your Comfort Zone

Everyone has a different comfort level when bringing up his or her struggle with self-harm. Some people can easily talk about it and that can be either because they have been able to fully accept their situation or because they are still very insecure about it. For others, emotions such as regret, embarrassment or fear can roll through their bodies, leading towards not being able to join a conversation discussing the matter.

It is important to feel comfortable with yourself and the situation before making the initial step forward in disclosing information to others. You need to prepare yourself for the possibility of overwhelming emotions and that others may not really understand your reasons behind cutting or burning.

However, once you find comfort in your own view on speaking about your struggles, things may slowly fit into place and from there, you can begin moving into your comfort zone.

You can also find Jennifer Aline Graham on Google+, Facebook, Twitter and her website is here. Find out more about Noon through Amazon.com.