Self Injury Cutting and Self Harming
About Self Injury Cutting, Self Harm Cutting and Other Self Harming Behavior
It doesn't matter what you call it. Self injury, self harm or self mutilation is an act that you must stop. Yes, it isn't easy. And yes, self cutting is the only way you know on how to release your emotional pain, anger and frustration because nobody seems to understand or will listen to you.
Do seek help because there are people who can and will help you stop the self injurious behavior. The first two people you can approach are your mom and dad. If you find it almost impossible to talk to your parents or are blaming them for your self harm cutting habit, speak to your school counselor.
If don't have to get your parent's consent, see a therapist or a psychiatrist. Your best friend could help too. Talk to him or her. If she loves you and care, she will still remain as a friend even after she finds out that you self abuse. Another option is to join an online self injury or self harm support group. You can find quite a number of these websites online.
Self injury cutting is common among teenagers but young adults and seniors may also suffer from this self harming behavior. A cutter, another term that is used to describe self harm cutting, may be suffering from a mental disorder and is depressed. She or he may have gone through a trauma or was physically, sexually or emotionally abused. One thing is certain; she or he doesn't know how to channel the painful emotions other than cutting or harming.
The most common form of self injury is cutting the skin with a sharp object such as a razor, knife or broken glass until it bleeds and hurts. Some cutters cut at visible areas such as the forearm and wrist while most will do it on their stomachs, chests, tights and legs because they can easily hide the wounds and scars.
Most people who cause the self inflicted pain are aware that other people who don't cut themselves won't understand so they suffer in silence. They also know that it is a self destructive behavior. But whenever there is an intense emotional disturbance going on inside them, they act on impulse. They have to release that pain. And the only way they know is to hurt any part of their body.
Some of them use other form of self injury such as using a hard object and banging it on them until it bruised. There are some who pull their finger or toe nails. Other methods of self harm include scratching the skin with fingernails or pin until it bleeds, pulling hair from the scalp, burning the skin with heat such as a cigarette, and picking on a scab causing it to bleed again.
Any one of these actions hurt badly. But that is the intention, to feel the physical pain and to numb the emotional hurt. The pain inside could be rage, guilt, hatred or any other intense distressing emotion. When they cut themselves, they have channeled the emotional pain to where they can really feel it. Their focus is now at the physical pain.
There are several treatments used for self injury when a person seeks for help. It also depends on the severity of the harm inflicted. Some people are given medications. Some may need psychiatric hospitalization. Others may go through day treatment programs.
Going through therapy is one of the best things to do. A therapist can help discover the underlying issues that are causing the compulsive behavior, plus offer help in finding alternative means of channeling the pain, manage emotions and stress and rebuild self esteem.
Self injury doesn't heal a trauma or any emotional problem. It is just a diversion. The emotional pain will still remain if not treated. In addition to emotional scars, people who cut themselves will bring along physical scars through life. And it adds up to their existing problem because now they have to answer to people who ask, if they can't hide them, or suffer the impact of social disapproval.
Most cutters need psychological help. But self help for self injury cutting is also possible if you have had enough of self harming and have a strong desire to heal yourself. Getting support at the same time is highly recommended. Family and friends can contribute by giving moral support.
How to Stop Self Injury Cutting and Self Harming
- One of the must-do things to stop self injury cutting is to forgive, love and accept yourself. You must let go and release the guilt because one of the reasons for self injury is to punish yourself for something bad or wrong that you thought you had done.
- Find and do something meaningful that will change your self image and improve self esteem. Angelina Jolie who admitted to self injury cutting changed her behavior and outlook once she got herself involved to promote humanitarian causes and work with refugees as a Goodwill Ambassador. Think of what you enjoy, love or are committed to do and put your heart and soul to it.
- Use emotional freedom technique as a self help tool. EFT is alternative healing method that can help release emotional blocks, traumas and physical pain. EFT has been used on war veterans who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and has proven successful. You can find out more information on the tapping solution website.
- Meditation and relaxation techniques are also helpful to calm your mind. If you need a tool to help you relax, you can use the Deep Relaxation Hypnosis. The Silva Life System is a tool that can help you get into a deep meditation state and accelerate mind body healing.
- When you feel your emotion building up, interrupt it. One of the ways to do it is to do any kind of physical activity. Take a walk, jog or a swim. Exercise helps your brain release neurotransmitters that give you a good feeling.
- You can also take out your journal and write down your immediate thoughts and the sensation that you are feeling. Just do anything to change your focus of attention, state of mind and coping techniques.
- Change your view about life and living. Question yourself hard on why you should continue to physically harm yourself and state the reasons why you should stop. Find all the benefits and imagine seeing yourself as someone who has better control over your emotions and your life. Think of what the people you love dearly would feel if you continue with your behavior.
- Look for people who have succeeded in overcoming self injury cutting. Find out how they did it and emulate them. Yes, you can do it.
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