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Self Injury

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What is self-injury?

Self-injury, self-harm and self-mutilation refer to various behaviors in which an individual intentionally inflicts harm on their body.

Self-injury is typically not undertaken with suicidal intent instead to relieve pain or feel something in the presence of emotional numbness. While cutting is one of the most common forms, over 16 forms are documented among the college student population.

The most common self-injury behaviors include:

  • warning signs of self injuryIntentional cutting of the skin
  • Subdermal tissue scratching
  • Burning
  • Ripping or pulling skin or hair
  • Swallowing toxic substances
  • Self bruising
  • Breaking bones

Why do people self-injure?

When emotions feel out of hand and you can’t cope with your pain, you may turn to cut yourself or other self-injury. Self-injury may be how you:

  • Regulate strong emotions
  • Distract from emotional pain
  • Express things that cannot be put into words
  • Exert a sense of control over the body
  • Self-punish or express self-hate
  • Self-soothe

Helping yourself - 1.800.DON’T.CUT

  • Self-injury may make you feel better at first, but the pain returns without any permanent recovery. You can end this dangerous cycle by learning safer, more healing ways to deal with your problems. Some professionals can provide treatment and ways you can help yourself. You have the power to find healthier ways to manage your pain.
  • Ask yourself why you want to stop. Examine your motivation for stopping so that you will be able to remember why you stopped as you go through the healing process.
  • Identify your self-injury triggers. Understanding why you self-injure can be a vital step toward your recovery. If you can figure out what function your self-injury serves, you can learn other ways to get those needs met, which can reduce your desire to injure yourself.
  • Talk to someone you trust. This could be a friend, teacher, religious leader, counselor or relative. Support from others can help you change your situation and learn new coping ways.
  • Seek professional help. Although anyone who self-injures can benefit from the assistance of a professional, it is imperative to seek help if your work to stop isn’t helping your behavior. A therapist can help you get to the root of why you self-injure and help you work toward preventing it.

Helping a friend

  • Ask and listen. Ignoring a friend or family member’s cutting and self-injury may help reinforce the feeling of shame surrounding the behavior. A lack of communication can also increase their feelings of isolation and alienation. You can help create change just by talking.
  • Don’t judge. Avoid judgmental comments and don’t dismiss the self-harm behavior as a way to get attention. Try to understand why self-injury is taking place.
  • Be genuine. Let your friend or family member know that you care and understand that they feel pain. If professional help is indicated, a person is more apt to follow such a recommendation if you genuinely listen to them.
  • Refer the person to seek professional help. Be actively involved in encouraging the person to see a physician or mental health professional. Most people with deep emotional pain or distress need to work with a counselor or mental health professional to sort through strong feelings, heal past hurt and learn better ways to cope with stresses.
  • When to get emergency help. If you or your friend is injured severely or believe your injury is life-threatening or if you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Also, consider these options if you’re having suicidal thoughts:

  • Calling or text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
  • The MCC counseling website has additional resources on suicide prevention
  • Contact your mental health specialist
  • Seek help from your primary doctor or other health care provider
  • Reach out to a close family member, friend or loved one
  • Contact a spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community

How to help yourself or help a friend who self-injures

Resources

Sources: Reprinted with permission from Partners in Prevention, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Safe Alternatives. Clip art from BU Today.