what does cutting/self-mutilation look like?

Question

how do i recognize the difference between an injury and cutting/self-mutilation?

Answer 1

An injury is a one time thing. cutting or SI is generally multiple times. Scars. SI's try to hide their scars whereas an injury most don't care or not obsessed with hiding it.

Answer 2

Injuries are usually fairly irregular and in obvious places--like, say you broke a glass in the sink. You'd expect cuts on your fingers, hands, wherever the glass shards hit you. If you were cooking, you might have a burn on your finger or a cut from a knife slipping. Injuries are easy to explain--usually, it's an accident or just carelessness, and if you asked someone to recreate the scene, he or she could show you what happened.

Cutting/self-mutilation is usually systematic and regular, both in appearance and frequency. Look for straight lines--smooth, even lines or scratches, unlike jagged cuts you'd see from a knife accident. Cutters tend to have lots of bandages and clothes that hide their cutting. Look for patterns, too, and cutters usually have their own particular weapon or tool to do the cutting. It has a real ritual element to it.

Sometimes, "clumsiness" isn't really an accident. I had lots of "accidents" even when I wasn't cutting myself that I think were self-harming actions. I'm doing better--I haven't cut in a long time, but I still think about it sometimes. I guess the idea of it is still in me somewhere. Be sure to support someone you suspect of self-mutilation--try to separate your feelings about the cutting from your feelings about the person. It's an attempt to deal with painful feelings--a way to stay alive despite great psychological pain. So do what you can to stay involved, and help as much as the person will let you (but don't fret too much if the person pushes you away.) You can't solve a cutter's problems, but you can help--I'm glad that you want to know how to recognize this mental illness danger sign.

Answer 3

Ok, I hope this helps, I am a former self injurer, and I hope this is the answer you need...
Self Injury/cutting, is usually on the fore arms and calves of the legs. Sometimes they can be found on the stomach, and when cuts are found on the stomache, they are usually messages of discouragement that the person wants to read every day, such as 'fat', 'ugly', and 'stupid'.The cuts are usually 1 to 4 inches long, very neat, straight, linear cuts. These incisions are usually made with razorblades or non-serrated knives. But, there can be occasions where the skin looks rough and jagged, this type of cut can be made by a dull, blunt object such as a serrated knife, tip of a compass, glass and sometimes even a fork or other type of eating utensil. Usually, the person injuring will deny and stray away form answering the question.This is another hint. Other hints are if you are finding, unusually sharp objects in their possession, or are finding things like, missing knives or the razors missing from a pencil sharpener. There is also another form of body decoration, which is self injury, this is not to be mixed up with cutting. This is where symbols or pictures are carved in to the body like tattoo ink. Usually this art form is not hidden like self inflicted injury. Usually a non self inflicted wound is bandaged and bruised. The bruising is a black/blue/yellow color. The bruising is a cause of applying pressure to the wound, and the blood settles underneath the skin. In self injury, the person usually lets the wound bleed until it bleeds no more. If you are asking this question about your son or daughter, one thing to remember is not to yell or scream, BUT, to encourage them to ask for help... After you confront them, wait a max of 3 days. If you are finding more cuts, then is is best advised to take them to your doctor. DO NOT take them to the e.r. UNLESS the cut is TOO deep and will not stop bleeding even with pressure. Apply a tourniquet, and then seek emergency medical help. But, if the cuts are shallow, take them to your regualar doctor. The doctor can treat the cuts, help cut down swelling and infection. Then they will refer you to a psychiatrist or Mental Help Place. If necessary try to admit them to your local hospital's psychiatric ward. Remember, this is a hard thing to deal with when someone is young, and this could be a sign of an underlying medical/mental disorder... GOOD LUCK, Best Wishes...

Answer 4

OK I hope you don't plan on doing anything to yourself.

For self mutilation - people would probably go for the veins on their arm. Injury would look more like a bruise with a little bleeding, but if someone were cutting themselves, you'll see lines and stuff.

Answer 5

cutting/self mutilation usually is multiple cuts my son did it and it actually looked like the cat scratched him but luckily the doctor noticed they were perfectly straight unlike a cat scratch which curves. He also started cutting eyeball shapes. He always used his forearms.

Answer 6

You will see scars in different stages of healing usually in places that are covered by clothes like the inner thigh or near the armpit or on the hip. The big tip-off is that they are all in different stages of healing. You usually don't accidently cut yourself every few days unless you're a butcher who needs glasses.

Answer 7

my friend selfharmed,he used to cut his arms,they are now full of scars.he said it was a way to release emotional pain with phisical pain.it took me a while to try to understand this.if you do cut,please take care of the sites you use,keep them clean and may be next time get some ice,wrap it in a thin cloth,and hold it till it melts....this gives both pain and release. god bless kev uk

Answer 8

Lots of cuts-usually in lines across wrists, forearms, ankles, and in discreet places.

Answer 9

If you suspect it then take action before it is too late

Answer 10

call 1 800 dont cut or try metanoia.org. please get help.