What is a silent cry?

A silent cry is when someone exhibits self-harming behaviors in order to gain attention from others for a psychological or emotional condition. Types of self-harm that may indicate a silent cry include burning, cutting, biting, carving, pulling on or pulling out hair and picking at skin.

People may exhibit signs of a silent cry in order to hide or mask feelings, deal with stress, experience euphoria, physically demonstrate emotional or psychological pain or provide punishment. Someone who is exhibiting the signs of a silent cry may not directly admit that something is wrong or that help is needed to deal with a situation or condition in a healthy way.