Jessica Sun

Contemporary Health I

SELF-MUTILATION AND CUTTING

WHAT IS SELF MUTILATION?

Self mutilation is a direct and deliberate destruction or alternation of the body. It is also known as self harm, or self injury.

(Salters-Pedneault, Kristalyn)

SELF MUTILATION: STATISTICS Self injury statistics show that this disturbing phenomenon is a real and present danger to vulnerable people worldwide.• Each year, 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males engage in self injury• 90 percent of people who engage in self harm begin during their

teen or preteen adolescent years• Nearly 50 percent of those who engage in self injury activities

have been sexually abused• Approximately two million cases are reported annually in the US

(Gluck, Samantha )

WHY PEOPLE ENGAGE IN SELF MUTILATION

Research has shown that most people self mutilate in order to help regulate internal experiences such as emotions, thoughts, memories, and physical sensations. People who self mutilate report that they do this behavior to:

• Escape from emotional pain

• Release anger

• Slow racing thoughts

• End episodes of dissociation

• To have sense of control

(Salters-Pedneault, Kristalyn)

SELF MUTILATION

Self mutilation can affect anyone, from pre-adolescents to older adults. But certain factors may increase the risk of self-harming, including:

• Age- self harming often starts in the early teen years, when emotions are more volatile and young women face increasing peer pressure, lonliness etc.

• Family History- some evidence suggests that self-harming is more common in people who have a family history of suicide, self-injury, or self-destructive acts.

• Life issues-some may have experienced neglect in childhood. Social isolation and living alone may also increase the risk; divorce; unemployment

• Mental health problems- personality disorders, depression, anxiety disorders

• Alcohol or substance misuse- people who engage in self mutilation often do so while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs

(“Self Mutilation Symptoms and Effects”)

TREATMENT OPTIONS :PSYCHOTHERAPY

Cognitive behavioral therapy: helps you identify unhealthy,negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones.

Dialectical behavioral therapy: type of cignitive behavioral therapy that teaches behavioral skills to help you tolerate distress, manage or regulate your emotions, and improve your relationships with others.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy: focuses on identifying the past experiences through self-examination guided by a therapist

(Mayo Clinic Staff)

TREATMENT OPTIONS: MEDICINE

There are no medications that specifically treat self-mutilating behavior. However, your doctor may recommend treatment with antidepressants or other psychiatric medications to help treat depression, anxiety or other mental disorders commonly associated with self-injury.

TREATMENT OPTIONS: HOSPITALIZATION

If one injures themselves severely or repeatedly, a doctor may recommend that you be admitted to a hospital for psychiatric care. Day treatment programs also may also be

an option.

SELF MUTILATION

An alarming fact about teen cutting is that, if one goes without treatment, many who begin cutting themselves as teens will continue the behavior into their adult years. (Cutting Statistics and Self-Injury Treatment - Teen Health)

PREVENTION

There are many ways one can avoid self-injury and prevent self harm. Some include:

• Talk to a friend

• Write about your feelings in a journal

• Listen to soothing music

• Take a walk or exercise

• Start a new hobby

SELF MUTILATION

If you are an individual who engages in self injury, remember there is always a way out and a path to recovery.

YOUTUBE VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVEz-3NW0GA

WORKS CITED"Cutting Statistics and Self-Injury Treatment - Teen Health." Cutting Statistics and Self-Injury Treatment - Teen Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. <http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-health/cutting-stats-treatment.html>.

Gluck, Samantha. “Self Injury, Self Harm Statistics and Facts.” Web. 27 Oct. 2013. <http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/self-injury/self-injury-self-harm-statistics-and-facts/>.

Mayo Clinic Staff. "Self Injury/cutting." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 06 Dec. 2012. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. <http://http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/self-injury/DS00775/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs>.

Salters-Pedneault, Kristalyn. “Self Mutilation.” What is Self-Mutilation and Why does it happen? Web. 27 Oct. 2013. <http://bpd.about.com/od/understandingbpd/a/selfharm.htm>.

"Self Mutilation Symptoms and Effects." Self Mutilation. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.