Articles: "What is Self-Mutilation?"
By A TAO Counselor
What is self-mutilation?
It is also known as cutting and self-injury. It, of course, is not just about cutting; it's about one person hurting him or herself. It's about burning, slicing, scraping, tearing and picking. It's about a hidden addiction that when it comes to light, it brings fear and resentment to the surface. I am going to be honest with you right now. It's not pretty.
So, what causes this terrible addiction?
Like most things, there are hundreds of causes, inside influences and outside influences included. It can come from stress at school, or at home. It comes when you just get to that breaking point and you snap. Sometimes it's a way to relieve oneself of pressure and negative feelings. There is no one cause of this addiction.
So what makes it addicting anyway?
When I found out someone close to me was cutting, I did not know what to do. I had heard things about self-mutilation but I had never dealt with it myself and I had not known anyone personally who was doing it. Until now. So, I figured I best get some information. I wasn't going to let the cutting continue.
When I went to the library and got a few books, I was shocked to find out what cutting/burning etc. is really all about. As I read, I found one reason mainly why cutting is addicting. It all starts out with the nerves in your body. As we know, there are millions of nerve endings all over your body. And they signal your brain all the time, day and night. Especially when you hurt yourself. The brain is told immediately about the trouble and it sends out a chemical. This chemical is called an Endorphin. It marches out to the site of injury and helps relax and relieve the pain some.
Wow, I thought, no wonder it's addicting! Of course this new piece of information did not make it any easier to understand. It made me feel better in the sense that at least I was trying to understand this condition more. But was there a way to stop this addiction?
How can a cutter/burner etc. stop?
It is not an easy process. It's different for everyone involved. There is time and effort involved as well. And they usually cannot do it alone. I found there are other ways to get the same chemical as you do when you get hurt. It seemed like maybe there was an answer all along! But it is a huge change for the cutter/burner. I found out that chocolate, sex and exercise are other ways of getting your brain to release endorphins. Of course, sex isn't for everyone and some people are on diets and others are lazy. But with an extra push, it seems possible for anyone to receive these chemicals too, And without cutting. Besides all the other options seem better than hurting yourself.
So, now that I know, what else?
If you cut or are someone who knows someone who cuts, its important you educate others with what you know now. Basically, print this out and pass it along. I think that many people who do cut don't think there is another way out other than therapy. Sometimes therapy is costly and sometime people are too afraid or ashamed to seek it. Especially teens. Plus, sometimes, people just don't get to the library and don't look it up. I am not saying what I have talked about is the only answer to cutting/burning.
What else can I do to stop or help someone stop?
Talking helps more than you might think. Confronting someone or just communicating with someone can be the final push to helping them realize what they are doing. If you do cut, sometimes it's best to open up to someone. They can help you find other ways to relieve you of your pain and stresses. If you know someone who cuts, support him or her. Be there for them and be open. Encourage them to seek therapy in school or to see if their parents can help them find therapy elsewhere.
I hope this article has helped you understand a little more about self-mutilation. There are tons of websites out there with even more info. I just wanted to give you the basics, so it's quick and easy to read and understand. Sometimes books and websites can be very technical but there is nothing easy about understanding cutting/burning. Remember, people do care and there is always another answer if you look for it.
It is also known as cutting and self-injury. It, of course, is not just about cutting; it's about one person hurting him or herself. It's about burning, slicing, scraping, tearing and picking. It's about a hidden addiction that when it comes to light, it brings fear and resentment to the surface. I am going to be honest with you right now. It's not pretty.
So, what causes this terrible addiction?
Like most things, there are hundreds of causes, inside influences and outside influences included. It can come from stress at school, or at home. It comes when you just get to that breaking point and you snap. Sometimes it's a way to relieve oneself of pressure and negative feelings. There is no one cause of this addiction.
So what makes it addicting anyway?
When I found out someone close to me was cutting, I did not know what to do. I had heard things about self-mutilation but I had never dealt with it myself and I had not known anyone personally who was doing it. Until now. So, I figured I best get some information. I wasn't going to let the cutting continue.
When I went to the library and got a few books, I was shocked to find out what cutting/burning etc. is really all about. As I read, I found one reason mainly why cutting is addicting. It all starts out with the nerves in your body. As we know, there are millions of nerve endings all over your body. And they signal your brain all the time, day and night. Especially when you hurt yourself. The brain is told immediately about the trouble and it sends out a chemical. This chemical is called an Endorphin. It marches out to the site of injury and helps relax and relieve the pain some.
Wow, I thought, no wonder it's addicting! Of course this new piece of information did not make it any easier to understand. It made me feel better in the sense that at least I was trying to understand this condition more. But was there a way to stop this addiction?
How can a cutter/burner etc. stop?
It is not an easy process. It's different for everyone involved. There is time and effort involved as well. And they usually cannot do it alone. I found there are other ways to get the same chemical as you do when you get hurt. It seemed like maybe there was an answer all along! But it is a huge change for the cutter/burner. I found out that chocolate, sex and exercise are other ways of getting your brain to release endorphins. Of course, sex isn't for everyone and some people are on diets and others are lazy. But with an extra push, it seems possible for anyone to receive these chemicals too, And without cutting. Besides all the other options seem better than hurting yourself.
So, now that I know, what else?
If you cut or are someone who knows someone who cuts, its important you educate others with what you know now. Basically, print this out and pass it along. I think that many people who do cut don't think there is another way out other than therapy. Sometimes therapy is costly and sometime people are too afraid or ashamed to seek it. Especially teens. Plus, sometimes, people just don't get to the library and don't look it up. I am not saying what I have talked about is the only answer to cutting/burning.
What else can I do to stop or help someone stop?
Talking helps more than you might think. Confronting someone or just communicating with someone can be the final push to helping them realize what they are doing. If you do cut, sometimes it's best to open up to someone. They can help you find other ways to relieve you of your pain and stresses. If you know someone who cuts, support him or her. Be there for them and be open. Encourage them to seek therapy in school or to see if their parents can help them find therapy elsewhere.
I hope this article has helped you understand a little more about self-mutilation. There are tons of websites out there with even more info. I just wanted to give you the basics, so it's quick and easy to read and understand. Sometimes books and websites can be very technical but there is nothing easy about understanding cutting/burning. Remember, people do care and there is always another answer if you look for it.
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