Self-injury is not something people talk about very often, but for an estimated 2 to 3 million Americans this is a serious problem. Most people who self-injure are women aged between 13 and 30, but there are "cutters" of every age, gender and economic group.People who "self-harm" are not usually suicidal. They, however, intentionally inflict wounds on themselves, usually in response to stress or trauma. Their injuries may vary from minor cuts that heal quickly to very serious wounds that leave permanent scars. This is also known as "Deliberate Self-Harm Syndrome."
If you or someone you know self-injures, please get professional help immediately. This is only a general framework of a very complex myriad of syndromes.
Auto-injury usually indicates that during the development phase for some person who did not learn the best way to cope with overwhelming feelings or stress. I am not sick or crazy, but once learned positive ways to deal with feelings and emotions, for various reasons. Positive skills can be learned at any point in life. People who self-injure can learn to use new and healthier coping mechanisms. This process can take years to develop with the help of a skilled clinician familiar with this condition.
The end of the word of Princess Diana shocked the world when he admitted in a television interview that he intentionally cut her arms and legs and had thrown down a flight of stairs in more than one occasion. Finally, self-injury - the practice of deliberately cutting, scratching, burning or otherwise injuring his body - was about to get out of the closet. After the interview that thousands of self-injury survivors called or wrote the media in response to that interview just in the United States alone.
Cutting seems to be the most common type of self-injury. "Cutter" often use razors, utility knives, scissors, needles, broken glass, or whatever you are doing repetitive sliced their arms, legs or other body parts. Some people burned with cigarettes or lighters, others pull out their hair.
Many people who self-injure say they do so, usually because they feel "Numb" cut and helps them to "feel alive". Others speak of the "sense of control" that can get from self-injury. This may be the first time or who felt a sense of control in their lives. Most agree that incidents of self-injury are triggered by stress and anxiety.
Self-injury is usually kept secret, and the "cutter" often feels deep shame and guilt from this ritual. People who self-injure are at risk of infection if their wounds are not treated properly. Scarring may also result from self-injury and often not. Many people who self-injure wear long pants, long sleeved shirts and turtlenecks even in hot weather to hide the marks that were left on their bodies.
Why do people self-injure?
This problem is not completely understood by health professionals or psychologists. It seems to be most common among people who were sexually abused as children, molested children, or survivors of incest.
Whatever the reason or context, self-injury seems to work as a coping mechanism. "Cutter" used self-harm to feel calm, "control", or simply to "feel something." However, self-injury is not a sound mechanism to address - this is a self-destructive behavior that probably reflects deeper, more complex mental health or personal problems. (See the end of this article for some quotes and "stories" of people who self-injure).
Some common factors of self-injury
Auto-injury usually indicates that during the development phase for some person who did not learn the best way to cope with overwhelming feelings or stress. I am not sick or crazy, but once learned positive ways to deal with feelings and emotions, for various reasons. Positive skills can be learned at any point in life. People who self-injure can learn to use new and healthier coping mechanisms. This process can take years to develop with the help of a skilled clinician familiar with this condition.
The end of the word of Princess Diana shocked the world when he admitted in a television interview that he intentionally cut her arms and legs and had thrown down a flight of stairs in more than one occasion. Finally, self-injury - the practice of deliberately cutting, scratching, burning or otherwise injuring his body - was about to get out of the closet. After the interview that thousands of self-injury survivors called or wrote the media in response to that interview just in the United States alone.
Cutting seems to be the most common type of self-injury. "Cutter" often use razors, utility knives, scissors, needles, broken glass, or whatever you are doing repetitive sliced their arms, legs or other body parts. Some people burned with cigarettes or lighters, others pull out their hair.
Many people who self-injure say they do so, usually because they feel "Numb" cut and helps them to "feel alive". Others speak of the "sense of control" that can get from self-injury. This may be the first time or who felt a sense of control in their lives. Most agree that incidents of self-injury are triggered by stress and anxiety.
Self-injury is usually kept secret, and the "cutter" often feels deep shame and guilt from this ritual. People who self-injure are at risk of infection if their wounds are not treated properly. Scarring may also result from self-injury and often not. Many people who self-injure wear long pants, long sleeved shirts and turtlenecks even in hot weather to hide the marks that were left on their bodies.
Why do people self-injure?
This problem is not completely understood by health professionals or psychologists. It seems to be most common among people who were sexually abused as children, molested children, or survivors of incest.
Whatever the reason or context, self-injury seems to work as a coping mechanism. "Cutter" used self-harm to feel calm, "control", or simply to "feel something." However, self-injury is not a sound mechanism to address - this is a self-destructive behavior that probably reflects deeper, more complex mental health or personal problems. (See the end of this article for some quotes and "stories" of people who self-injure).
Some common factors of self-injury
- Age of onset between 10 - 16 years
- There was a big change in the lives of teenagers - parents divorce or death
- There is a history of family violence, abuse or sexual abuse
- Intense feelings of fear, evil, anger, rejection or abandonment
- Feelings of loss and / or need for control
Some reasons why people cut themselves. These are some of the reasons for our readers that "cut" shared with us.
They are soothing:
- To feel the pain on the outside instead of inside
- To cope with feelings
- To express anger towards themselves
- To feel alive, instead of "Numb"
One way to communicate what can not say with words:
- To tell people they need help
- To get people's attention
- To tell someone they should be in hospital
An attempt to get people to react to their actions:
- To get people to take care of them
- To make other people feel guilty
- To drive people away
- To get away from stress and responsibility
- To manipulate people or situation
Trigger events reported by young adults who self-injure:
- Being rejected by someone who is important for them
- Being blame for something that had no control
- Feeling inadequate
- To be "wrong" in some way
RECOVERY
People who self-injure can learn to use new and healthier coping mechanism. This process can take years to develop.
It is also important to get help from a therapist who specializes in self-injury. He or she can help the person understand what is behind the desire to cut or wound. New front mechanisms may include exercise, painting, writing, yoga or dance, instead of harming themselves. A process that involves self-expression is often useful. Whatever works as an alternative method to cope with feelings of anxiety or stress or "numbness" is often a good starting point toward recovery.
If you intentionally bad, remember you are not alone. One might think that this problem is a "strange" but you can see from the statistics that are more common than we thought. Talk to a counselor, your therapist or health care provider, is likely to have helped others with this same problem. Whatever pain or bad experience behind your desire for self-wounding, a professional can help to heal, both inside and outside.
Share by: Amy Otis, RN
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