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[rattusdomesticus]

Re: Mobilizing the Campuses Against Self-Mutilation

My experience with this is that it is mostly young women. The 40 or 50 girls I met who do this were raped or suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a relative for a period (sometimes sustained) in their lives. The resulting low self-esteem seems to encourage this "cutting." Some cover their cuts; others show them off (in a bid for attention?). Many describe the cuts as a form of "release" -- that it "lets out the pain." And others admit that it is simply a replacement of the self-destructive tendencies... rather than be angry at their perpetrator, they hurt themselves. I've never seen a case get resolved without intensive therapy and (often) medication. Some need to be hospitalized for initial work before being released into twice-a-week individual therapy sessions and weekly group therapy sessions. Sometimes after this kind of intensive work, Incest Survivors Anonymous or Survivors of Incest Anonymous helps; but I've never seen a case where a "survivor" has stayed away from cutting with just these tools. It's very destructive and like many other addictive behaviors that people get hooked into, very, very difficult to break. I liken it to gambling or sex addiction.

Now, I'm just an English teacher. I'm no psychologist. But I have done volunteer work with these women for years... so this is just my thoughts based on experience. I'd like to hear any other ideas about this behavior if anyone has experience working with these women.

[case_insensitive]

The one person I know who cut themselves was a college age person, very highly driven, almost perfect scores in a very difficult major. I think it was her way of feeling control over herself or her environment or something... after a relationship went bad and school was less than perfect (she is a bit of a perfectionist).  After family intervension and brief therapy, she moved on, changed majors, and now some years later is happily working and married and so forth. 

Healing can happen.  Not all who cut themselves are sexually abused - though I can see why that is common. :o(

[comp_queen]

If I can't say this in an anonymous forum where can I say it?  I was a cutter in college.

Rattus and CI are both right that it becomes an addiction.  I even describe it in terms of addiction, telling friends I've been "clean" now for X number of years.

Something about the adrenaline release turning different switches in your brain or some such.  Also it's basic transferrence--I think that's the right term.  Inner mental pain=scary.  External cutting="I know exactly what to do; get up, clean the cut, and get a band-aid."

I was never abused; my parents and extended family are all wonderful.  For me it was entirely the perfectionism.  Shoot, half the reason I don't cut now (yes, I know I shouldn't have stopped meds without a doctor's care some years back . . .) is because I'm loathe to end my own streak.

Talk about perfectionism.

But those girls are NOT just somehow "going after attention."

Trust CQ, who knows whereof she speaks and still bears the scars.  Literally.

[rattusdomesticus]

I appreciate the info, case_insensitive. And thanks for revealing sensitive info, comp_queen. It's interesting to find out that not all who cut are sexually abused. I think I got that impression because of the way women are referred to the program that I've volunteer with. Oh, and I have never thought that gals cut for attention--I think I was suggesting that some are embarrassed if their cuts show; others are not. That's what I meant. I personally used to drink too much; sort of an under-the-covers drunk until I turned 28 and got help. It's funny my family didn't guess... I came to every family occasion hung over! Like CQ, I can no longer do this behavior at all; abstaining is the only way. Congrats CQ on your healing. This is a tough, tough subject.

[plainjane]

As long as we're outing ourselves... I used to cut as well. I wasn't abused sexually or in any other way as a child; like CompQueen I was (and remain) a driven perfectionist. Although in my case the cutting also had a lot to do with body image issues. The logic behind cutting is not unlike that behind anorexia or bulimia -- it's a form of control over the body that often manifests around adolescence -- i.e., when one's body is out of control.

It's a complicated issue, but it's also extremely common, especially among women my age (30) and younger. I just wanted to chime in against the idea that this behavior is about attention seeking -- for me, at any rate, I was completely secretive, and the point of the behavior had nothing to do with anyone else. It was all about me.

[artsearch]

"I just wanted to chime in against the idea that this behavior is about attention seeking"
***
I have known female students who had eating disorders and who also exhibited traits consistent with borderline personality disorder--which IS about attention-seeking behavior. The eating disorder came and went, the BPD was always there. Do these conditions often coexist?

[beta328]

This is interesting.

I, too, have personal experience with self injury. As part of my job, I have worked with children and teens who self injure. I'd like to add my agreement to some of what has been said (not about attention, often feels like an addiction, etc.) I did my Master's Thesis on Self Esteem and Self Injury in students with mild disabilities.

It's also important to remember that although young girls are the most publicized and discussed, young men and older adults also self injure, as well as some very young children. It crosses age, gender, race, religion, socio-economic class, etc.

[beta328]

Policies should encourage students to seek help and should not be punitive.

Just to add, I think education on this issue is important. Some therapists are afraid of the topic of self injury and don't know how to handle it. Once people become more educated, they'll understand that it's not something to be afraid of, it's not done for attention. In many cases, it's a coping skill to stay alive and manage. I would love to see more colleges providing education and support for this specific issue.

[artsearch]

"It crosses age, gender, race, religion, socio-economic class, etc. "
***
beta,

I had heard, though, that this sort of self-mutilation/self-destruction via eating disorders is virtually unheard of in parts of the world where it is literally a daily struggle just to survive. Is this true, and if so, what is the official explanation for the disparity?