Cutting and self harm/mutilation

Cutting, self harm/mutilation

Self harm or cutting is characterized by an individual purposly causing harm or injury to themselves. It is a method of expressing deep, often painfull emotions or problems that have been building up inside. The individual often feels unable to express these feelings in any other way.

This figure may well be an underestimation, mainly because the majority of self mutilation goes unreported due to shamful nature and secrecy of self harming. Most research states that self harming is indiscriminate of socio-economic status, race and parts of the world. However it appears to be more prevelant in females although males are affected. Developing in adolescence sometimes such behaviours can continue into adulthood.

Types of self harm/mutilation

Cutting – the individual makes cuts and/or scratches on the body with a sharp object, (knives, razor blades, needles, broken plastic, finger nails). The arms, legs and front of the torso are most commonly cut mostly because they can be easily hidden under clothing and also because they are easily accessed.Trichotillomania (hair pulling) – This is an impulse control disorder which can also resemble an addiction, habbit or an obsessive-compulsive disorder. An individual suffering has an irresistible urge to pull out hair from any part of their body. Burning ones self – Usually with a hot object or Friction burn. Dermatillomania (Picking at skin or re-opening wounds), This is also an impulse control disorder where present is a repeated urge to pick at one's skin. This is to the point where enough damage is caused to ‘releive stress’ and thus serves the individual a purpose.Multiple piercings or and obsession with tattooing. This may be a method of self injury, where the ‘pain’ involved in having a tatoo or piercing is gratifying.Hitting (usually with a hard object such as a hammer), punching, Bone breaking, and/or Head-banging (which may be more often seen with mental retardation such as autism or). Drinking harmful chemicals.

Signs/symptoms of self harm;

Keeping sharp objects or razors with them, for example in their school bag.Insisting upon remaining well covered, for example long sleves and trousers, even in hot weather.Depression and/or anxiety.Low self esteemFeelings of shame or guilt.Dysfunction family or social unit.Feelings of grief.Strained relationships or dificulty communicating in general

Why do people self harm?

Although self harm can sometimes claim lives it is usually not an intended suicude act. It is a negative and poorly learned coping mechanism. It is one that allows the individual to express emotions that they are unable to put into words or part of a control mchanism when other apsects of their life are out of their concious control. It can also be induced by an emotional void and the feeling of pain is prefered to the feeling of ‘nothing’ or ‘numbness’. Some individuals have described self harm as a form of anxiety or stress release, regulating stressfull emotions, much like opening a fizzy drink whenever the presure becomes to high to manage.

Self harm can some times develop as a result of self hatred and also a form of self punishment. This kind of self hatred can stem from child abuse where the indvidual is often made to feel it is their fault, this also in the case of sexual abuse at any age. They take all of the hurt and pain out on themselves.

As strange as it may sound, self halm can often be an act intended to self sooth for someone who has no other means to calm intense emotions. Self halm/mutilation in this case is often followed by tending to their own wounds as a way to express self-care and be self-nurturing. This may especially be the case for someone who didnt learn how to be nurturing in a more direct manner.

In cases of self harm individuals may have been denied the expression of anger suring childhood, have co existing problems such as OCD or an eating disorder, are lacking in alternative skills to express emotions in a healthier way and usually have dysfunctional or non existent support network, for example family.

It is important to remember that much like eating disorders, cutting or self harm is a progressive behaviour and can become very addictive thus dificult to break out of as it becomes a habitual behaviour. Once an individual has stumbled across self cutting, sometimes by accident, when put in a simelar situation as when the first instance occured they are likely to replicate the behaviour. Endorphines begin to create an addiction, the individual whenever out in high pressure situations is thus likely to revert to self distructive behaviours.

Although self harm is very rarely an act of suicide it must be taken very seriously. Acts of self harm can often cause infections and health problems and sometimes suicide may be accidental.

The prevelence of self harm is approximately 1% of the population suffering with self harm tendencies at some time in their life, usually as a method used to cope with an overwhelming situation or feeling.