Self Injury Facts

[ColleenF30]

Many people think only teenagers self injure, and that they do it for attention. 

#1 adults self injure too

#2 How can something you hide and are ashamed of be for attention

#3 It is an addiction

#4 It is a coping skill

#5 If you haven't lived it don't judge those who have

Source

Self-injury, also called self-harm, self-abuse, self-damage, and in its most broad and extreme cases, self-mutilation, is the act of purposefully and compulsively damaging the self, usually the skin. While acts of self-injury may at times result in death, these are not suicide attempts. Acts of self-injury include the following types of behaviors: cutting, scratching, burning, head banging, and hitting yourself with a hammer.

While psychiatrists disagree as to whether self-injury is a diagnosis in it's own right or a symptom of a disorder (such as borderline personality disorder), one thing is known, self-injurers suffer in silent shame and isolation. It is estimated that self-injurers comprise at least 1% of the population, with a higher proportion being female, and nearly half admitting to being victims of physical and/or sexual abuse in childhood. A significant number of self-mutilators also suffer from eating disorders, alcohol and/or substance abuse problems, personality disorders, and/or mood disorders. While each self-mutilator has a different story to tell, all share certain characteristics;
 

	The self-harm behavior is recurrent.
	The self-injurer experiences a mounting sense of fear, dread, anxiety, anger, or tension before the event.
	A sense of relief accompanies the event.
	A sense of deep shame follows.
	The self-injurer attempts to cover-up any evidence (e.g. scars...) of his/her act.

If you are a friend or relative of a self-injurer, there are ways in which you can help.

	Show concern for the person's inner turmoil and pain as well as for the injury itself.
	Encourage the self-injurer to come out of isolation and seek support groups and therapy.
	Encourage the person to explore and express the emotions behind their urge to self-harm.
	Encourage and applaud any steps taken by the self-injurer to break the cycle of self-harm.
	Above all do not pass judgment.

[sunfreezeinmi]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 4:19 AM

Thank you for posting this.

[IhartU]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 8:05 AM

Thank you for posting this. There is much mis-information out there about this, and as a former cutter myself, I appreciate you spreading the word about it.