Franzén and Gottzén (2011) identify two discourses that offer a contrasting view on self-harm: the “normalizing” and the “pathologizing” discourses. They remark both discourses can be found in online communities and used simultaneously as people who self-harm often express ambivalence. The “normalizing” discourse The normalizing discourse tends to see self-harm as a legitimate coping mechanism against mental health problems. People who self-harm are described as … Continue reading The “normalizing” vs the “pathologizing” discourses