Self Embedding Disorder and Self Injury

December 2008, at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting in Chicago, a new mental health condition aptly named self-embedding disorder may have been introduced to the general public for the first time. An unlikely place for a mental disorder to be discussed, the disorder consists of teenagers embedding objects like paper clips and glass into their bodies as a form of self-injury. It became a topic of discussion among radiologists, as an ultrasound is needed to find and remove these objects without breaking or causing further injury to the patient. While recent reports indicate that 13-24% of high school students in the US and Canada have participated in some sort of self-mutilation, embedding is a much more severe and harmful process. It is uncertain how many do mutilate, as the behavior is often unreported and is hidden by teenagers that do it. Based on the study conducted by the radiological society, it appears that girls between the ages of 15-18 are much more likely to be engaging in this behavior.

A phenomenon not seen widely prior to 2005, the individual embeds the object under their skin after first cutting themselves. In the report released at this annual meeting the most common substance to be embedded was metal followed in order by wood, graphite, plastic, crayons, and stones. The measurements of the objects ranged from 4.5-160 mm and were located into their arms, feet, ankles, and necks. The reason why this is considered a step above and beyond "cutting" to self-mutilators is due to the constant and increased pain inflicted after embedding a foreign object, unlike the mild pain which quickly subsides resulting from cutting oneself. Many children that suffer from this disorder have a history of physical or sexual abuse and are in group or foster homes. Many expert psychologists admit that this is not an uncommon practice seen in juvenile detention centers, but this is the first time is has been recognized widely by the public. When the next update of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMV) is printed self-embedding disorder may be added as a unique clinical entity.

General Self Mutilation is presently listed in the DSMV as a symptom of borderline personality disorder and depressive disorders. It is generally accepted that self-mutilators are not suicidal although self-embedders seems to be more disturbed people and much more likely to have suicidal idealations. For general self-mutilators, current treatment includes antidepressants, cognitive behavioral talk therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and avoidance techniques. Other forms of self injury including burning, biting, hitting or bruising oneself, picking or pulling at skin or hair; burning oneself with lighted cigarettes, or amputating parts of the body.