| People who self-injure require medical attention.
Visit the Student Counseling Center or Health Center for help. |
It's called many things --
self-inflicted violence, self-injury, self-harm, parasuicide,
delicate cutting, self-abuse, self-mutilation (this last
particularly seems to annoy people who self-injure).
Broadly speaking,
self-injury is the act of attempting to alter a mood state by
inflicting physical harm serious enough to cause tissue damage to
one's body.
Approximately 1% of the United
States population uses physical self-injury as a way of dealing with
overwhelming feelings or situations, often using it to speak when no
words will come.
Self injury
includes:
-
cutting
-
scratching
-
picking scabs or
interfering with wound healing
-
burning
-
punching self or
objects
-
infecting oneself
-
inserting objects
in body openings
-
bruising or
breaking bones
-
some forms of
hair pulling
-
other various
forms of bodily harm
The behaviors, which
pose serious risks, may be symptoms of a mental health problem that
can be treated.
Incidence and onset
It is estimated that
self- injurers represent nearly one percent of the population, with
a higher proportion of females than males. The typical onset of
self- harming acts is at puberty. The behaviors often last for five
to ten years but can persist much longer without appropriate
treatment.
Background of self-injurers
In general, persons
seeking treatment are usually from a middle to upper-class
background, of average to high and intelligence, and have low
self-esteem. Nearly fifty percent report physical and or sexual
abuse during his or her child. Many report (as high as 90 %) that
they were discouraged from expressing emotions, particularly, anger
and sadness.
Behavior patterns
Many who self-harm
used multiple methods. Cutting/scratching arms or legs is the most
common practice. Self injurers may attempt to conceal the resultant
scarring with clothing, and if discovered, often make excuses as to
how an injury happened. The most common excuse is "The cat scratched
me". A significant number are also struggling with eating disorders
and alcohol or substance abuse problems. And estimated one half to
two-thirds of self injurers have an eating disorder.
Reason for behaviors
Self- injurers
commonly report that they feel empty inside, over or under
stimulated, unable to express their feelings, lonely, not understood
by others and fearful of intimate relationships and adult
responsibilities. Self injury is their way to cope with or relieve
painful or hard- to- express feelings and is generally not a suicide
attempt. But relief is temporary, and a self-destructive cycle often
develops without proper treatment.
Dangers
Self- injurers often
become desperate about their lack of self-control and the
addictive-like nature of their acts, which may lead them to true
suicide attempts. The self -injury behaviors may also cause more
harm than intended, which could result in medical complications or
death. Eating disorders and alcohol or substance abuse intensify the
threats to the individual's overall health and quality of life.
Diagnoses
The diagnosis for
someone who self-injurers can only be determined by a licensed
psychiatric professional. Self-harm behavior can be a symptom of
several psychiatric illness: Personality Disorders (esp.Borderline
Personality Disorder); Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression); Major
Depression; Anxiety Disorders; as well as psychoses such as
Schizophrenia.
Evaluation
If someone displays
the signs and symptoms of self- injury, a mental health professional
with self- injury expertise should be consulted. An evaluation or
assessment is the first step, followed by a recommended course of
treatment to prevent this self-destructive cycle from continuing.
Treatment
Self-injury treatment
options include outpatient therapy, partial (6-12 hours a day) and
inpatient hospitalization. When the behaviors interfere with daily
living, such as employment, school and relationships, and or are
health or life-threatening, a specialized self injury hospital
program with experienced staff is recommended.
The effective treatment of self-injury is most often a combination
of medication, Cognitive/behavioral therapy, and interpersonal
therapy, supplemented by other treatment services as needed.
Medication is often useful in the management of depression, anxiety,
obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and the racing thoughts that may
accompany self-injury. Cognitive/behavioral therapy that incorporate
contracts, journals, and behavioral logs are useful tools for
regaining self-control. Interpersonal therapy assist individuals in
gaining insight and skills for the development and maintenance of
relationships, and helps individuals understand their destructive
thoughts and behaviors. Services for eating disorders,
alcohol/substance abuse, trauma abuse, and family therapy should be
readily available and integrated into treatment, depending on
individual needs.
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