self mutilation?

Question

if my bf cut himself over 3 weeks ago, should i still be worried and watching his behavior?

Answer 1

i would keep a eye on him and also talk with him

Answer 2

You should let him know that if he wants/needs to talk, you'll listen. Don't push the issue--sometimes that triggers people to cut more often. Also, don't draw a lot of attention to the marks on his body--many cutters don't like to talk about it, some don't like people seeing the marks on the body.

Don't worry much---many cutters aren't suicidal. Many cutters cut to:
• Ease tension
• Express emotional pain
• Punish themselves
• Escape from emptiness
• Provide relief
• Relieve anger
• Escape numbness
• And to prevent something worse from happening

This is very difficult to understand unless you've been there before. Just be there for him and let him know he can talk to you. Try to understand this is how HE copes with the stress and struggles in life and it can become an addiction.

Here are some links that may help you understand better.
http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html
http://self-injury.net/faq/
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/self-mutilation.jsp
http://www.focusas.com/SelfInjury.html

Good luck!☺

Answer 3

YES! You should still be concerned. Regardless whether this was the first or fiftieth time he has cut, the fact that he did it says he has potential to do it again. In my experience as a psychiatric nurse I have seen that, in general, when a male cuts himself it is often more severe than female cutting and males are usually more discreet about where they cut ie. abdomen, legs or other places people won't see. Be observant as well as encourage him to seek professional help in dealing with whatever caused him to do it. Self inflicted pain can become addictive.

Answer 4

Yes I think you should talk to him and encourage him to talk to you. I am a cutter (though thank god I don't do it Very Much AT all anymore!) and my instinct is to keep it secret, but it helps so much knowing my own bf cares as do my friends. Do not be accusing, be caring. Realize he may need this right now and yet don't promote it. Urge him to seek outside help because cutting is a symptom of something greater and help IS out there. Good luck...

Answer 5

Self mutilation has become a major public health concern. Self mutilation is a general way
for variety of forms of intentional self harm without the wise to die.(YES)!! keep two eyes
on him and make sure nothing gets nasty.

Answer 6

Hell yes.

Sometimes this is just attention seeking behavior (a 'cry for help') but what if it isn't???

Do you want to take that chance?

Encourage him to get help and if he shows any repeated signs of self-injury don't be afraid to take matters into your own hands and call 9-11. He will be taken to a safe place and evaluated for 48 hours. If his behavior is just a sad attempt to manipulate people, this will shock him into stopping it. If his behavior is something worse, this just might save his life.

Answer 7

If he only did it once then honestly, probably not. Sometimes it's just a dumb mistake. But if it has happened a lot, then you should watch his behavior and talk to him about it. People feel like by giving themselves physical pain that it takes away emotional pain. Just let him know that you care and he doesn't need to hurt himself.

Answer 8

Definately and urge him to talk to someone that handles this kind of thing a self mutilator usually does not do this one time maybe this is just the first time you found out

Answer 9

Of course, my aunt started cutting herself at about age 55. It's a long story. Her son died in a car crash and she has lost it. Bottom line in she gets a little better, but then goes right back to the same behavior. He needs help...professional help.

Answer 10

I would keep a close eye on him. These sorts of people usually do it for the attention. Not much to worry about, but there is that one time when they go a little to far.

Answer 11

if he did it intentionally then the time that has passed since he has done it means nothing, deffinitly watch his behavior. have you talked to him about it? have you expressed your concerns? Also seriously consider telling someone about what he is doing, you can talk to someone unbiased, a doctor, a priest, but in any case don't pass his hurting himself off as nothing