SI/SH self harm/injury/mutilation question?

Question

Can anyone give insight into a certain type of self-harming pattern of behaviour please?

Such as potential motivations, or really any information you can give.

When self-harming occurs, it becomes a constant thought-pattern, going through the mind at least once an hour, and the injurt not occurring neccessarily in times of stress, but just as an almost enjoyable activity. Like thinking 'Hmm, I might go watch the Simpsons' except 'Hmm, I might go slash up my arms/take an overdose'.

Accompanied by suicidal thoughts.

Main focus being on a love of the scars, and a constant desire to look at the the marks left from cutting. When doing it, quickly bored of the bleeding part, and just wanting to be left with the marks.

A desire to 'accessorise' to self-harm - wanting to buy long-sleeved jackets and arm-warmers, for example.

Keeping it very private, but wishing to tell everyone around - never telling anyone except boyfriend, as regularly stripped by him anyway.

Em
x

Also, when in the act of self-harming, always wanted to cut just a little deeper to leave a worse mark.

Answer 1

I don't have much experience with this, nor have I studied psych, so maybe someone else has a better answer (my only experience is with my own problems yet I can relate by exaggerating what I see in myself), yet it appears to me at first glance to be a couple of things mixed together: one, a manifestation of self hatred (possibly due to a conflict whereby the person has blamed him or herself for something that was not his or her fault - for example a rape or other abuse), two, obviously expressing a desire to be stopped... that is to draw other people's attention in subtle ways (and yet, when such an indirect method does not work, thinking that bigger marks would do the trick - as if to say "you didn't see the marks 'cause they were small, they're bigger now, so please help me" yet this goes unsaid and since people are not mind readers the person looking to be helped continues in vain to try to attract the attention for help in resolving the problem - by the way, sometimes another issue causes such a subtle way for looking for help - the person who is conflicted might feel such negative self worth (due to the blame he or she has placed on him or herself) that despite his or her desire for help, he or she does not feel worthy of being helped and so tries to get others to help him or her in an indirect way). My advice, if this is in reference to a friend of yours, is to get him or her some help (this is what they want inside and yet will also struggle against). An intervention may be necessary.

Answer 2

I can't speak for everyone i speak for me, it was a very deep dark time and there is so much i don't know a word for it right now misplaced emotion that can't channel anywhere so i don't wanna say things i might regret or do something stupid like go out and have sex or overdose, it's a release and i feel so much better when cutting. The marks are to remind me of my life, and my failures, and what i'll never be and it did get to a point where i have suicidal thoughts everyday, i planned how i wanted to die, but cutting just oh was so much better than dieing. I felt shame and that's why i isolated myself, that's why i covered it up they wouldn't understand, they'd pervert it and that's just what they did. Cutting for me was also accompanied by not eating. It wasn't anorexia. When i cut i make sure i'm safe, i don't do it with dirty razor blades, i clean the cuts and the blades with alcohol with every use. I dry them and store them properly, i don't understand what's wrong with it, considereing the other options, unprotected sex, drugs, you choose the lesser of the evils.

Answer 3

I don't have professional knowledge on this, just heard some testimony from women in prison. In prison, it is a process to regain control of their lives, not a self-destroy pattern. If you are not in detention, it could only be the sign of "call for help". Why doesn't your boyfriend question this ? Does he offer support ? You say you have suicidal thougths, then just openning about it is a sign that you are doubting and that your choice of dying is not definitve. You really should seek outside help. Now ! Anybody, a friend, parent, neighbour, professional, nurse, teacher, whoever. Don't keep this for yourself.

Answer 4

Cutting is closely linked to Emotional Intensity Disorder (formerly called Borderline Personality Disorder), but the Emergency Room abstract reports a dramatic increase of first time cutters over 40 years old, and an increasing number of cutters of all ages report they cut for "fun".

Answer 5

Hi, I really dont feel comfortable answering but I care to much for you not to respond - I deleted out my previous excert for those very reasons, what follows is copied and pasted from one of the links below - The reason i share this information with you is in hope you will seek the answers you need and find a solution to this problem in your life.

It has been reported that many people who self-injure have a history of sexual or physical abuse, but that is not always the case. Some may come from broken homes, alcoholic homes, have emotionally absent parents, etc. There are many factors that could cause someone to self-injure as a way to cope.

There are three types of self-injury. The rarest and most extreme form is Major self-mutilation. This form usually results in permanent disfigurement, i.e. castration or limb amputation. Another form is Stereo typic self-mutilation which usually consists of head banging, eyeball pressing and biting. The third and most common form is Superficial self-mutilation which usually involves cutting, burning, hair-pulling, bone breaking, hitting, interference with wound healing and basically any method used to harm oneself.

Most people who self-injure tend to be perfectionists, are unable to handle intense feelings, are unable to express their emotions verbally, have dislike for themselves and their bodies, and can experience severe mood swings. They may turn to self-injury as a way to express their feelings and emotions, or as a way to punish themselves.

I googled "self harm" and it gave me almost 6 million hits, i'm sure you'll find the information you seek

Thank you so much for sharing ;)

Answer 6

My 13 year old daughter cuts herself when she's overly stressed, but says that she doesn't realize that she's doing it until she's already cut herself numerous times.