dreamer_easy (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dreamer_easy) wrote2007-05-02 09:19 am
dreamer_easy) wrote2007-05-02 09:19 am
Entry tags:
Cutting
I've got a book here called "Cutting the Pain Away: Understanding Self-Mutilation". I want to summarise some of the information it gives.
Self-harm is not a suicide attempt.
It is common; the book estimates that two million people in the US harm themselves.
Reasons for self-harm include relieving anxiety; "jolting" oneself out of emotional numbness; getting a kind of control over one's life.
The trauma of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and rape are linked to self-harm. Growing up in an "invalidating enviroment", in which the child is dismissed, belittled, or even punished for expressing their feelings, is also a factor.
The book suggests ways of getting more control over the urge to self-harm. Here are some of them:
- delaying, perhaps with the help of a distraction
- being with others or in public
- "Some people find that the impulse to injure themselves passes if a loved one holds them tightly when they are feeling overwhelmed by their feelings or out of touch with their bodies."
- saying "No!" or "Stop!" out loud
- remove items such as razors from the home
- strong tastes and smells (eg bite an unpeeled lemon)
- squeeze ice cubes in the hand, or stick fingers into ice cream
- harm objects instead of yourself, such as cutting a piece of heavy cardboard, ripping up an old phone book
- snapping a rubber band against your wrist (this is my own method)
- draw on yourself with a red pen or red paint
The book suggests ways of telling someone that you are self-injuring, such as writing it down rather than telling themn face-to-face; having a third person, such as a friend or therapist, present; reassuring them that you're telling them because you trust and love them.
It also suggests ways of helping someone who is self-injuring, such as letting them know you're willing to talk about it if and when they want; staying with them if you think they're in danger; not judging, demanding, or making ultimatums; and encouraging them to see a therapist.
I also found some relevant links:
A closer look at self-harm (summarises the research)
Deliberate self-harm from Reach Out!, an Australian site for young people
A self-harm fact sheet from Teen Health, another Australian site.
Self-harm is not a suicide attempt.
It is common; the book estimates that two million people in the US harm themselves.
Reasons for self-harm include relieving anxiety; "jolting" oneself out of emotional numbness; getting a kind of control over one's life.
The trauma of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and rape are linked to self-harm. Growing up in an "invalidating enviroment", in which the child is dismissed, belittled, or even punished for expressing their feelings, is also a factor.
The book suggests ways of getting more control over the urge to self-harm. Here are some of them:
- delaying, perhaps with the help of a distraction
- being with others or in public
- "Some people find that the impulse to injure themselves passes if a loved one holds them tightly when they are feeling overwhelmed by their feelings or out of touch with their bodies."
- saying "No!" or "Stop!" out loud
- remove items such as razors from the home
- strong tastes and smells (eg bite an unpeeled lemon)
- squeeze ice cubes in the hand, or stick fingers into ice cream
- harm objects instead of yourself, such as cutting a piece of heavy cardboard, ripping up an old phone book
- snapping a rubber band against your wrist (this is my own method)
- draw on yourself with a red pen or red paint
The book suggests ways of telling someone that you are self-injuring, such as writing it down rather than telling themn face-to-face; having a third person, such as a friend or therapist, present; reassuring them that you're telling them because you trust and love them.
It also suggests ways of helping someone who is self-injuring, such as letting them know you're willing to talk about it if and when they want; staying with them if you think they're in danger; not judging, demanding, or making ultimatums; and encouraging them to see a therapist.
I also found some relevant links:
A closer look at self-harm (summarises the research)
Deliberate self-harm from Reach Out!, an Australian site for young people
A self-harm fact sheet from Teen Health, another Australian site.
no subject
I think there's a big difference between someone in pain seeking attention - which they should do! - and the idea that teens cut just to show off or be trendy, a myth that puts thousands of kids in danger of not being taken seriously when they do need attention and help.
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(Anonymous) 2007-05-03 03:29 am (UTC)(link)These people might not have been true self-mutilators, but I think this was STILL a sign that there was something wrong, maybe some sort of identity issue or self image issue.
No matter what, anyone hurting themselves in the littlest bit or even talking about hurting themselves shouldn't be ignored. If there's even the littlest bit of a seed of a problem there, it can grow into something bigger.
My self-mutilation stretched into full-blown suicidal tendencies at times. Once the cutting starts it doesn't take a lot of pressure to go too deep. And that's why it shouldn't be blown off.
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