Self-Injury
What is Self-Injury?
Self-injury (SI) occurs when someone intentionally and repeatedly harms herself/himself. The method most often used is cutting but other common behaviors include burning, punching, picking at scabs, pulling out hair, and drinking something harmful, like bleach or detergent. However, the person's intention is NOT to kill himself/ herself. You may have heard self-injury referred to as "parasuicide," ""self-mutilation," "self-harm," "self-abuse," "cutting," or "self-inflicted violence".
Who does it?
It's estimated that about two million people in the U.S. injure themselves in some way. They are of all races and backgrounds. Self-harm appears to be more common in females than in males, and it tends to begin in adolescence or early adulthood. While some people may engage in self-harm a few times and then stop, others engage in it frequently and have great difficulty stopping the behavior. Several studies have found that individuals who engage in self-harm report unusually high rates of histories of:
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Childhood physical abuse
- Emotional neglect
- Insecure attachment
- Prolonged separation from caregivers
Why do people engage in self-injury?
While there are many theories about why individuals harm themselves, the answer to this question varies from individual to individual.
Some reasons why people engage in self-injury:
- To distract themselves from emotional pain by causing physical pain
- To punish themselves
- To relieve tension
- To feel real by feeling pain or seeing evidence of injury
- To feel numb, zoned out, calm, or at peace
- To experience euphoric feelings (associated with release of endorphins)
- To communicate their pain, anger, or other emotions to others
- To express emotional pain or feelings they can't put into words
- To nurture themselves (through the process of healing the wounds)
- To have control over their bodies when they can't control anything else in their lives
How is self-injury treated?
Self-harm is a problem that many people are embarrassed or ashamed to discuss. Often, individuals try to hide their self-harm behaviors and are very reluctant to seek needed psychological or even medical treatment. Because self-harm is often associated with other psychological problems, it tends to be treated under the umbrella of a co-occurring disorder like a substance abuse problem or an eating disorder. Sometimes the underlying feelings that cause the self-injury are the same as those that cause the co-occurring disorder.
There are also some treatments that specifically focus on stopping the self-injury. An example of this is Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a treatment that involves individual therapy and group skills training. DBT is a therapy approach used for self-harming individuals with a wide variety of other psychological problems, including eating disorders and substance dependence. The theory behind DBT is that individuals tend to engage in self-harm in an attempt to regulate or control their strong emotions. DBT teaches clients alternative ways of managing their emotions and tolerating distress. Research has shown that DBT is helpful in reducing self-harm.
How do I help a student who is engaging in self- injury?
Some teens treat self-injury as a casual behavior, like getting a tattoo, but when teens repeatedly hurt themselves, it is always a sign of emotional trouble.
- It is extremely important to get help for a person who is engaging in self-injury. Although these individuals usually aren't trying to kill themselves, sometimes they're unable to control the injury and die accidentally.
- As a teacher, you are likely to be the first adult to become aware of a teen's self-injury. You should immediately share your concern with the School Counselor.
- Take the self-injury seriously by expressing concern and encouraging the individual to seek help.
- You can follow-up to be sure the parent has been informed and is seeking professional help for the student.
Resources
- S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self-Abuse Finally Ends) 1-800-DONT- CUT
- Covenant House Nineline 1-800-999-9999
- Lifenet 1-800-LIFENET
Sources: National Mental Health Association and the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Self-injury (SI) occurs when someone intentionally and repeatedly harms herself/himself. The method most often used is cutting but other common behaviors include burning, punching, picking at scabs, pulling out hair, and drinking something harmful, like bleach or detergent. However, the person's intention is NOT to kill himself/ herself. You may have heard self-injury referred to as "parasuicide," ""self-mutilation," "self-harm," "self-abuse," "cutting," or "self-inflicted violence".
Who does it?
It's estimated that about two million people in the U.S. injure themselves in some way. They are of all races and backgrounds. Self-harm appears to be more common in females than in males, and it tends to begin in adolescence or early adulthood. While some people may engage in self-harm a few times and then stop, others engage in it frequently and have great difficulty stopping the behavior. Several studies have found that individuals who engage in self-harm report unusually high rates of histories of:
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Childhood physical abuse
- Emotional neglect
- Insecure attachment
- Prolonged separation from caregivers
Why do people engage in self-injury?
While there are many theories about why individuals harm themselves, the answer to this question varies from individual to individual.
Some reasons why people engage in self-injury:
- To distract themselves from emotional pain by causing physical pain
- To punish themselves
- To relieve tension
- To feel real by feeling pain or seeing evidence of injury
- To feel numb, zoned out, calm, or at peace
- To experience euphoric feelings (associated with release of endorphins)
- To communicate their pain, anger, or other emotions to others
- To express emotional pain or feelings they can't put into words
- To nurture themselves (through the process of healing the wounds)
- To have control over their bodies when they can't control anything else in their lives
How is self-injury treated?
Self-harm is a problem that many people are embarrassed or ashamed to discuss. Often, individuals try to hide their self-harm behaviors and are very reluctant to seek needed psychological or even medical treatment. Because self-harm is often associated with other psychological problems, it tends to be treated under the umbrella of a co-occurring disorder like a substance abuse problem or an eating disorder. Sometimes the underlying feelings that cause the self-injury are the same as those that cause the co-occurring disorder.
There are also some treatments that specifically focus on stopping the self-injury. An example of this is Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a treatment that involves individual therapy and group skills training. DBT is a therapy approach used for self-harming individuals with a wide variety of other psychological problems, including eating disorders and substance dependence. The theory behind DBT is that individuals tend to engage in self-harm in an attempt to regulate or control their strong emotions. DBT teaches clients alternative ways of managing their emotions and tolerating distress. Research has shown that DBT is helpful in reducing self-harm.
How do I help a student who is engaging in self- injury?
Some teens treat self-injury as a casual behavior, like getting a tattoo, but when teens repeatedly hurt themselves, it is always a sign of emotional trouble.
- It is extremely important to get help for a person who is engaging in self-injury. Although these individuals usually aren't trying to kill themselves, sometimes they're unable to control the injury and die accidentally.
- As a teacher, you are likely to be the first adult to become aware of a teen's self-injury. You should immediately share your concern with the School Counselor.
- Take the self-injury seriously by expressing concern and encouraging the individual to seek help.
- You can follow-up to be sure the parent has been informed and is seeking professional help for the student.
Resources
- S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self-Abuse Finally Ends) 1-800-DONT- CUT
- Covenant House Nineline 1-800-999-9999
- Lifenet 1-800-LIFENET
Sources: National Mental Health Association and the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
