This imaged is by Christiaan Tonnis, licensed under CCbySA.
When I was an EMT, I encountered a case that to this day, stays with me. I met someone who had cut marks on her arm. This person was immediately provided psychiatric help, linked with support groups, and information. It was my first encounter with someone that self-injures.
Self injury is defined as the act of attempting to alter a perceived intolerable mood state by inflicting physical harm serious enough to cause tissue damage tot the body. It is the intentional act of harming ones own body without suicidal intent.
Myths and truths:
Myth: It is a suicidal intent.
Truth: It is the opposite. It is a way to stay alive.
Myth: Attention seeking behavior or just “acting out.”
Truth: People don’t want others to know. It is a behavior done by themselves and no one knows about it.
Myth: Wounds are superficial so they are not serious.
Truth: Not only is there psychological harm, but wounds can lead to serious infections and illnesses.
Myth: All people who self-injure have Borderline Personality Disorder.
Truth: People do not necessarily have Borderline Personality Disorder. Please stay tuned for the blog on risk factors.
Myth: Self-injury is untreatable.
Truth: There are treatment options. I will outline them in the upcoming blog.
The statistics are staggering. An estimated one to two million people in the United states are noted to demonstrate self-injurious behaviors, which include cutting, burning, marking, scratching, picking, interfering with wound healing, head banging, and breaking of bones. The majority of females are young female teenagers. It is a significant public health concern. It costs the United States healthcare system over $150 million per year in in patient hospitalization costs alone.
Resources:
American Self-Harm Information Clearinghouse
Self Injury Info and Resources
Christian Self-injury resources
Books:
The Scarred Soul: Understanding & Ending Self-Inflicted Violence
Bodily Harm: The Breakthrough Healing Program For Self-Injurers
