Self harm without mental illness-sin or just bad?

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ashleyxo

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Hey. It’s been a while since I came on here but I just want to ask a question that I think I’ve asked before but didn’t really get a clear answer?

Is self-harm a mortal sin if the person is not mentally ill? Can something be ‘bad’ but not a sin?

Thank you in advance!💖
 
Could, definitely.

I’m not so knowledgeable in this area but from what I’m learning rn, it seems as if self harm is a symptom of certain mental illnesses but the act of doing it does not necessarily mean that person has a mental illness? You need more symptoms than self harm to be diagnosed with anything else
 
Wouldn’t say you’re wrong, but it’s all subjective I guess?
 
ashleyxo said:
Is self-harm a mortal sin if the person is not mentally ill? Can something be ‘bad’ but not a sin?
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Self harm is a sign of mental distress, it is either itself a mental condition or a symptom of one. It is not something you just “do”. It has underlying mental issues at its root.

If you are self-harming, do NOT self-diagnose or try to self-medicate. You need to see a health care professional. Do not let a perceived stigma surrounding mental illness prevent you from getting help. You can get help and can get better with therapy.

It is wrong to self-harm. Whether or not it is sinful depends on other factors. Get help from your pastor and from a counselor.
 
Is this masochism?
Are you young?
Do you have free time?
Devote yourself to some kind of power sport!
You can become a brilliant champion, with great hard-working performance.
You will gradually acquire a sense of self-esteem, respect for yourself and your personality.
Masochism is a disease, an innocent technique gradually leads to deplorable results.
But with God’s help, there are many ways to heal this spiritual affliction, and over time, this past sickness can be turned into a virtue and a weapon for the Glory of God.

If I was wrong about what you meant, I’m sorry, it’s just really weird how you put it.
 
ashleyxo said:
Is self-harm a mortal sin if the person is not mentally ill? Can something be ‘bad’ but not a sin?

Thank you in advance!💖
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I have met a number of people who have self harmed and been suicidal. The need to forgive someone, or the need to forgive themselves; seems to be at the heart of the problem for the people I have met.
 
Ashly,

Self-harm is a symptom of a very dangerous mental illness called Borderline Personality Disorder. My former friend’s daughter suffers from it and I have seen the behaviors too many times. Please don’t worry about this being a sin or not, but get professional treatment asap! It can lead to serious self-injury or even death!
 
Intentionally injuring oneself is a sin, yes.

It is mortal if the injury inflicted is serious in nature, or if it exposes the person to serious risk of death (or serious injury).
 
Judas killed himself. I dont think he had mental illness. Did he go to heaven or hell? God only knows.
 
ashleyxo said:
Hey. It’s been a while since I came on here but I just want to ask a question that I think I’ve asked before but didn’t really get a clear answer?

Is self-harm a mortal sin if the person is not mentally ill? Can something be ‘bad’ but not a sin?

Thank you in advance
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Depends on YOUR motive

If it’s for a intended spiritual reason {**} then it is NOT a sin

If it’s for any other reason than it is a SIN; possibly and conditionally even a Mortal sin

{**} This action; this decision is NOT to be taken on one’s own recognizance; but only with a QUALIFIED Catholic Spiritual Director whose advice must be accepted

Pray very much and take this advice to heart!

PJM
 
This is a troubling question. How could anyone think that deliberate self harm was not both a symptom of serious mental illness and grave matter?

Mental illness is not a sin. Nobody should let guilt deter them from seeking professional help.
 
It really depends on the mental state of the person. I believe it was St. Augustine who said something along the lines of “we don’t know what happened between the bridge and the water.”
 
If you’re hurting yourself without being compelled by mental anguish, i.e. doing it for YouTube views or on a dare, then it’s a sin.
 
Brittany said:
I’d argue that self harm is not poor coping skills, it’s a failure to cope at all
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It is a way of coping when one doesn’t have other options.

I expect that’s often why it’s more common with younger people.
 
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