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Self Injury

 

Just the idea that people can and will physically harm themselves can be terrifying. To the Self-Injurer, their loved ones, and friends. Self-Injury (a.k.a. SI) is for the most part a coping mechanism. This is a way for them to not have to deal with emotional pain. The physical pain can be easier for them deal with.

The reason's could be one or more things. Biological, to relieve stress, predisposition, and/or lack of knowledge of how to deal with highly emotional feelings or situations. This writer, through my research and speaking with many people, have found most, not all, have a history of sexual abuse.
SI is away to change positive or negative moods by inflicting physical harm to themselves. There are many ways this can be executed:
    Cutting ( ie: knives, razors, broken glass, or any sharp object )
    Hitting (ie: doors, walls, any hard object )
    Biting themselves
    Burning
    Banging their head
    Picking at skin till it bleeds
    Any behavior that puts them in harms way ( ie: I have known people who will pick fights with people who are much bigger than themselves and for no apparent reason. )

Self-Injury is known by many different names
    Self-harm
    Self-injury
    Self-inflicted pain
    Parasuicide
    Self-mutilation ( this last one is not a desired term for SI like it implies the like this behavior)

What it is not:
    Sexual Pleasure
    Tattoos or body piercing
    Religious rituals
    some nervous habits (like fingernail biting)


WHY

Studies have suggested that people who SI get emotionally overwhelmed. So by injuring themselves, they relieve the psychological and physiological stress almost instantaneously. They may still feel badly, but the panic, the fear, or alarm is alleviated for the time being. This is why SI can become very addicting. The process is reiterated over and over again. People who SI are thought to be psychotic, they are anything but. SI is no different then the alcoholic or drug addict. In fact, SI is the drug of choice.

WHO

People who SI come from all walks of life. From the young to the old; The rich to the poor; from the laborer to the professional. They are most careful to hide their scars, burns, and bruises, and if ever questioned about them, they can come up with some grand answers. (ie: the kitty scratched me the iron fell are just a few ). I feel I must add here that most people who SI are not suicidal. If anything, this is a way for them to deal with themselves so they do not commit suicide.

Self-Treatment

Self-treatment is not recommended for anyone who is a SI, but most will try themselves before seeking professional help. There are alternatives, but by no means should be attempted without a good support system in place.
    A firm support system of family and friends who know you SI
    Make a list of ten things you can do instead of SI
    Have a place to go if you need to get out.
    Be able to rid your home of tools you use to SI
    Be willing to feel stress, frustration, and just being scared
    Really want to stop hurting yourself

These alternatives could be tried until professional help can be obtained: ( remember these are just suggestions, not cures, and what may work for one person may not work for everyone )
    snapping an elastic band on the wrist
    holding ice in your hand
    tearing up old phone books or newspapers
    screaming into pillows
    hitting walls with pillows ( not fist )
    punching bags
    exercise
    drawing
    drawing red marks on skin (not permanent markers use crayons or washable markers)
Do some of these things still hurt? Yes. The difference here is no lasting scars. Damage control. Just like the alcoholic knows they cannot take that next drink, the person suffering from SI knows they can not keep scaring themselves.

Professional Treatment

For the most part people who SI need professional help. Psychiatrist for mood stabilizing medications, depression and anxiety medications also. Psychotherapy is one of the most important treatments a SI can get. The SI needs to treat the underlying condition before they can begin to start the healing process.
Other treatments may include inpatient stays. Day treatment programs and DBT ( dialectical behavioral therapy Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder ) groups have been shown to be very helpful.
There are very few places that specialize in the treatment of SI. The two this writer knows about are S.A.F.E (self abuse finally ends ) a 30 day intensive inpatient program. For more information you can call (800) DONTCUT or (800) 366-8288 ( Chicago ). The other is Butler Hospital a partial hospitalization program that uses DBT to treat SI. For more information you can call (401) 455-6200 (Rhode Island) .

Lastly On a Personal Note

My mom is a SI, and I have a friends, some cyber but still friends, that suffer from Self-Injury. This is why I have researched and am writing on the subject. These people, all of them, mean the world to me, and if writing about this can help, then I know my work is not in vain. I am not a professional and do not pretend to be one. Anyone who is reading this right now and is a SI please I beg of you seek professional help. I have watched my mom and friends go through pure hell, many hospitalizations, medications and ECT. They are the ones who need to get to the underlying problem before they can begin to heal. Inside and out. Once they can deal with this, then maybe; only then, do they have a good chance of recovery. May the angels up above always be their guide.
Written by Brenda W
Angelblues

 

 

 

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