A Bleeding Arm is Better Than a Bleeding Heart

Self-injury is a common practice in many parts of the world. It has been used as a form of penance in certain religions and self-scarring can be seen as status symbols in some tribes, but the average person views it as a tragic, maybe "crazy" thing to do to oneself. They also tend to think that self-harm is an indicator of suicidal ideation, which it isn't necessarily. According to the self-injury foundation, a separate category has been established to separate suicidal self-harm (SSI) from non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI) which tends to be seen as a type of coping mechanism within the psychological community.

Those who practice NSSI are discussed using a variety of terms:

• parasuicide
• deliberate self-harm
• self-abuse
• self-mutilation
• self-inflicted violence
• deliberate self harm

However, the most common term used among those who do this practice is "cutters". However, self harm does not need to necessarily involve cutting. Burning, biting and scratching are also common practices. While this is often thought of as a "teen" illness, evidence shows that there are cutters in every age group and gender. I personally remember a girl I knew in high school who would use cuticle cutters to make designs via the scarring of her skin. I also had a roommate who ingested chemicals that would make her sick, with the full knowledge it wasn't a chemical that would kill her. Remembering these incidents made me want to jump at the chance to interview a recent cutter I met by chance. To protect her privacy, she asked me to use the name Tina which is not her real name. The following is an account of the interview.

For the interview, Tina and I met at a quiet coffee house where she felt safe from being overheard. She was dressed nicely and well-groomed. There was no outward indication to me that she was a cutter. After a quick greeting and some small talk we began the interview.

Q. So Tina, how long have you been a cutter?

A. Since I was 12 or 13.

Q. How old are you now?

A. 24

Q. And you still cut?

A. Yes

At this point she pushed up her shirt sleeves and pant legs to show scars and scabs. They were clearly placed to avoid attracting attention by their locations.

Q. So why do you do this?

A. I have anxiety issues because of abuse as a little girl. They also say I'm bi-polar which makes me impulsive.

Q. But WHY cut? What does it do for you?

A. Personally, I think when I have an anxiety attack it helps ground me; to release some stress. The pain and blood kinda make me forget for a moment. And when I get really depressed I always think that physical pain is better than my heart hurting. A distraction I guess?

Q. The Self-injury Foundation says some people experience euphoria from the release of endorphins, do you?

A. I guess maybe once, but I had used a razor and cut a little too deep and ended up needing stiches. The amount of blood was kinda exciting and I don't think I was scared or anything.

Q. Do you see a therapist or take medicines?

A. Well, sure, but it's not always effective. When I want to cut, I feel like I need to cut right then. I can't wait 45 minutes for some meds to kick in.

Q. Has the the therapy or medicines helped at all?

A. A little. I find I don't cut as much as I used to. I guess there's less anxiety thanks to the klonopin.

Q. Has cutting ever caused you problems, socially or occupationally?

A. Well, my bosses have never known but it has scared away a couple boyfriends, but my current boyfriend has been great about it. He even tries to distract me from cutting when I get into moods.

Q. Do you ever see yourself stopping?

A. I guess, I mean that is my goal, so I hope so. Lstely my doctor wants to try stronger mood stabilizing meds.

At this point I thanked her for her time and wished her luck in her recovery plans. After checking a few stats, I found she was definitely not alone. A 2006 study by Whitlock found that around 17 percent of college students reports some cutting behavior during their lifetime, which startled me to think about. However, the Self-injury Foundation says accurate statistics are difficult to get because of varying definition as to what actually constitutes self-injry between SSI and NSSI. It is clear this is an issue that needs further study, hopefully there will be more studies on this topic in the future.

Sources:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06092a.htm

http://selfinjuryfoundation.org/39201.html

Doe, Tina.(2010) Personal Communication conducted on August 21^st by Mark Gittner.

Whitlock, J., Eckenrode, J., & Silverman, D. (2006). Self-injurious behaviors in a college population. Pediatrics, 117, 1939-1948.