Self Injury
Self injury (also known as self harm, self-inflicted violence, self abuse or self mutilation) is an often misunderstood response that some trauma victims or individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) use as a means of coping. Like others who abuse drugs, alcohol or food, become workaholics, or find other means of unhealthy escape, people who self injure look for an outlet to relieve intense feelings of anger, shame, isolation, depression, sadness, guilt or emotional pain. An individual who self injures usually feels peaceful and calm afterwards, but the relief is only temporary, so many will look to self injure again unless the underlying issues are addressed and a healthier way of coping is found. Approximately one (1) percent of the population self injures in one or more of the following ways (bold indicates the more common forms):
- Biting
- Branding
- Breaking bones
- Bruising
- Burning
- Cutting
- Head banging
- Hitting
- Interfering with wound healing
- Pulling hair or skin
- Scratching
There are some important misconceptions about self injury. The following will help to clarify a few significant points.
- People that self injure are not attempting suicide. While tissue damage is one of the defining factors of self injury, most individuals do not self injure to end their lives. Rather, they self injure as a means of coping.
- Generally, individuals who self injure are not trying to manipulate or get the attention of another. To the contrary, many go to great lengths to hide their wounds because of the shame and potential consequences if others were to learn of their actions.
- People who self injure are not "crazy"; they just use this mode of coping to express emotional pain, to feel more "in control," or to feel something (other than isolation, dissociation, or un-whole), or as a means of self punishment.
- It is not self injury unless the action is linked to emotional coping or relief. For instance, body piercing or tattoos, spiritual or ritual acts, sexual gratification or doing something to fit in with peers are not considered forms of self injury.
What Helps
The most beneficial course for an individual who self injures is to work with a professional counselor or therapist to address the underlying issues that cause such intense emotional pain. Support groups can also be very helpful, bringing individuals with similar experiences and understanding together in a "safe" environment. Relaxation techniques and medications can also assist in relieving some of the symptoms, but ultimately it is getting to the root of the emotional distress that will be most helpful in long-term healing.
While hospitalization is sometimes used with individuals who self injure, this may feed in to the feeling of lack of control and exacerbate the emotional state that causes a person to self injure in the first place. A therapist or medical professional who understands self injury well should be consulted when determining a course of action to establish healing and a healthier means of coping.
Resources
Please note that Witness Justice is not responsible for the content or accuracy of the information provided on these sites or in these resources. Though we support the good intentions of these sites and resources, Witness Justice neither endorses nor assumes any responsibility whatsoever for any of the views or policies of the persons or organizations represented here. It is incumbent upon the user to exercise good judgment when accessing or acting upon any information obtained from any site or resource on this list.
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Web Sites
Focus Adolescent Services: Self-Injury
This is a teen-focused look at understanding the root of self injury and information resource for those who want to help.
Healing Touch: A Self-Injury Website
This site offers resources for people who self-injure.
Self-Injury, Abuse & Trauma Resource Center
This is a resource center which includes a listing of self-injury, abuse, and trauma resources.
Books
Because I Hurt: Understanding Self Injury and Healing the Hurt, by Jan Sutton and Deb Martinson
A Bright Red Scream: Self-Mutilation and the Language of Pain, by Marilee Strong
The Scarred Soul: Understanding & Ending Self-Inflicted Violence, by Tracy Alderman
Secret Scars: Uncovering and Understanding the Addiction of Self-Injury, by V. J. Turner
Self-Injury: When Pain Feel Good, by Edward T. Welch
Other
The Cutting Edge: A Newsletter for People Living with Self-Inflicted Violence
Our thanks to Ruta Mazelis, Creator and Editor of The Cutting Edge: A Newsletter for People Living With Self-Inflicted Violence, who assisted Witness Justice in the development of this content on self injury. Visit the Sidran Institute or e-mail for more information about The Cutting Edge.
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