Self Injury

Self-injury, also known as cutting, is when someone intentionally and repeatedly harms themselves the most often type used is cutting but other common behaviors such as burning, or drinking something damaging like bleach or detergent.

Approximately two million people in the U.S. injure themselves in some way.  The majority are teenagers or young adults with women more than men. They are of all races and backgrounds.

 Some people say they hurt themselves to express emotional pain or feelings. Some people who engage in self-injury may do so methodically or regularly, almost as if self injury were a ritual. 

Other people may use self-injury impulsively as a way to get immediate release for built up tension. They may use self-injury either as a way to regulate intense emotions or as a distraction technique.

It can be a way to have control over your body when it is difficult having control over anything else in your life. A lot of people who cut themselves also have an eating disorder.

Some people who engage in self-injury may do so methodically or regularly, almost as if self-injury were a ritual. Other people may use self-injury impulsively as a way to get immediate release for built up tension. They may use self-injury either as a way to regulate intense emotions or as a distraction technique to find a way to stop thoughts that they are unable to control.

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They usually are not trying to kill themselves sometimes they are unable to control the injury and can die from an injury accidentally.

Suicide is a major risk for people with a mood disorder. But people who engage in self injury to get rid of bad feelings are not necessarily suicidal.

Though self-injury and suicide are different, self injury is not a small problem. Self injury is physical damage to one's body. It's important for the self-injurer to seek help.

No matter how self-injury is used, it is unhealthy and dangerous and can leave scars, physically and emotionally.

There are healthy ways to relieve stress, exercise can bring relief from the pent up tension, and there are also healthy ways to cope with negative feelings. For some people, self-injury is a coping mechanism.