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Self Mutilation affects 2-3 million Americans and the majority are women between the ages of 13 and 30. Self Mutilation is a complex group of behaviors that result in the destruction of the person’s own tissue. Self Mutilation includes scratching, burning and cutting the skin, breaking bones, pulling out hair, amputation and eye enucleation. There are three categories of Self Mutilation.
Major-This is the most extreme and the most uncommon form of Self Mutilation. This category consists of infrequent acts of destroying a lot of tissue such as castration or limb amputation. This usually results in permanent disfigurement. This category is associated with psychotic or acute intoxicated states.
Stereotypic-This category consists of fixed patterns of injury such as head banging (most common), eyeball pressing and finger or arm biting. The stereotypic category may occur in the institutionalized, autistic and schizophrenic people and those that have Lech-Nyhan and Tourette Syndromes.
Superficial-This category is the most common and causes little tissue damage. It occurs sporadically and repetitively and may become addictive. The most common method is using glass or razor blades to cut the skin. This category also consists of skin carving, burning, interference with wound healing, needle sticking, self-punching and scratching. Superficial Self Mutilation can be linked to, but not always associated with, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depersonalization, Multiple Personality Disorder, eating disorders, characterological traits or disorders, Addison’s disease, benign intracranial hypertension, substance abuse and clinical depression.
Why would someone do this to themselves? This is definitely a condition that is not easily understood. Only those who do it know why they do it. Maybe the physical pain just feels better than all the emotional pain. Maybe it’s the control that you have in the process of cutting, punching or whatever is that you do. People are quick to judge those who participate in Self Mutilation. They never consider why they might be doing it. I guess it’s just easier to call them crazy and toss them aside. That’s happening all too often these days. If more people would take the time to care, maybe things could be different, not only for those who inure themselves, but for everyone.
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