Self Injury
Many different terms have been used to describe when individuals intentionally harm themselves, including self-mutilation, self-injurious behavior, deliberate self-harm, parasuicidal behavior, and self- wounding. Additionally, this behavior has been classified into three types: major self-mutilation, stereotypic self-mutilation, and superficial self-mutilation.
Types of self-injury. Major self-mutilation is an extreme form of self-injury with a low incidence rate, and includes self-amputation of body parts.
Stereotypic self-mutilation is self-injurious behavior that is rhythmic and repetitive, such as head banging or arm biting, which is most commonly seen in children with mental retardation and autism.
In contrast, superficial self-mutilation, the focus of this handout, is an intentional act that is socially unacceptable, repetitive, and results in minor to moderate harm without the intent to die. Superficial self-mutilation often occurs in secret as an expression of deep pain and emotional unrest. The most common forms of superficial self-mutilation are self-cutting, followed by self-burning, pin-sticking, scratching, self-hitting, interference with wound healing, and bone breaking.
Injuries are most commonly inflicted on the wrists or forearms, although cuts to the face, genitals, thighs, legs, abdomen, and breasts have been observed. Cutting is reported as the most common practice of self-mutilation, and individuals who cut are often referred to as “cutters.”
Is self-mutilation related to suicide. A student who cuts himself or herself may be perceived by school personnel as attempting to commit suicide; however, important distinctions exist between self- mutilation and suicide attempts. For example, 8 out of 10 individuals who are suicidal report suicidal ideation and give advance warning of their suicidal intentions. In contrast, rarely does the person who self-mutilates report suicide ideation or give any advance verbal warning of his or her self-mutilation behaviors. For the most part, the intention behind self-mutilation is not to stop living, because most individuals who self-mutilate make only superficial cuts or marks to their skin. Moreover, individuals who self-mutilate are likely to continue to repeat the behavior over a long period. Reports indicate that approximately 63% of individuals who cut themselves experience multiple episodes. In contrast, suicide attempts are usually temporary and occur much less frequently.
Reasons for self-mutilation are many and vary from individual to individual. Some of the reasons may include one or more of the following:
taken from NASP online
Types of self-injury. Major self-mutilation is an extreme form of self-injury with a low incidence rate, and includes self-amputation of body parts.
Stereotypic self-mutilation is self-injurious behavior that is rhythmic and repetitive, such as head banging or arm biting, which is most commonly seen in children with mental retardation and autism.
In contrast, superficial self-mutilation, the focus of this handout, is an intentional act that is socially unacceptable, repetitive, and results in minor to moderate harm without the intent to die. Superficial self-mutilation often occurs in secret as an expression of deep pain and emotional unrest. The most common forms of superficial self-mutilation are self-cutting, followed by self-burning, pin-sticking, scratching, self-hitting, interference with wound healing, and bone breaking.
Injuries are most commonly inflicted on the wrists or forearms, although cuts to the face, genitals, thighs, legs, abdomen, and breasts have been observed. Cutting is reported as the most common practice of self-mutilation, and individuals who cut are often referred to as “cutters.”
Is self-mutilation related to suicide. A student who cuts himself or herself may be perceived by school personnel as attempting to commit suicide; however, important distinctions exist between self- mutilation and suicide attempts. For example, 8 out of 10 individuals who are suicidal report suicidal ideation and give advance warning of their suicidal intentions. In contrast, rarely does the person who self-mutilates report suicide ideation or give any advance verbal warning of his or her self-mutilation behaviors. For the most part, the intention behind self-mutilation is not to stop living, because most individuals who self-mutilate make only superficial cuts or marks to their skin. Moreover, individuals who self-mutilate are likely to continue to repeat the behavior over a long period. Reports indicate that approximately 63% of individuals who cut themselves experience multiple episodes. In contrast, suicide attempts are usually temporary and occur much less frequently.
Reasons for self-mutilation are many and vary from individual to individual. Some of the reasons may include one or more of the following:
- To escape from emotional pain such as anger or anxiety
- To release tension
- To induce a pleasure state from the endorphins that are released
- To gain control over seemingly out-of-control emotions
- To physically express pain
taken from NASP online
What to Do?
Visit the link below to learn what you can do to help you child. This Paren's Guide to Self Injury will guide you during this difficult time.
http://bennastrober.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Parents_Guide_to_Self_Injury_Benna_Strober.pdf
http://bennastrober.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Parents_Guide_to_Self_Injury_Benna_Strober.pdf