Cutting and Self-Injury

is not a topic that is commonly discussed, however, it is estimated that
between 2 and 3 million Americans engage in some form of self injury.
Although typically self injurers are white females between the ages of 11
and 40, men and women from all background engage in this type of
behavior.

Although some self-injurers do report that they are suicidal, many report
no wish to die and state simply that self-injury is, for them, a way to deal
with stress and powerful emotions.  

Self-injury is usually the result of the self-injurer's lack of more positive
coping skills that can be used to regulate their emotions.

Cutting

Cutting is the most common type of self-injury. "Cutters" typically use
razors, knives, broken glass or other sharp objects to repeatedly injure
themselves on the arms, legs, or other body parts.

As stated above, many cutters report that this behavior helps to relieve
stress for them or helps them to deal with powerful and painful emotions.
However, most cutters report that they feel a deep sense of shame and
guilt about their cutting, and make attempts to keep their behavior hidden
from others by wearing concealing clothing, or by cutting parts of their
body not typically seen by others. These feelings of shame and guilt often
lead to feelings of self-hatred and to further episodes of self-injury, thus
creating a vicious cycle similar in nature to addiction.

Although people cut for a wide variety of reasons, some of the most
commonly reported are:

  • They find it comforting
  • To Communicate something they can not say with words
  • As an attempt to get the attention of others or get help for themselves


Some Common Themes of Self-Injury

  • Begins between the ages of 10 and 16
  • There is a major change in the self-injurer's  life
  • There is a history of violence or abuse in the family
  • The self injurer experiences intense feelings of fear, anger or rejection
  • The self-injurer feels a need to gain control over some aspect of their lives.


Treatment and Recovery

Although what causes one to begin cutting or self-injuring is not totally
understood, it is known that obtaining treatment as early as possible
increases the chance of recovery.  At Windham & Leibovich we have
years of experience working with those who self-injure and know that it is
possible to learn healthier and safer ways of dealing with painful
emotions.  We treat self-injurers using a multi-modal talk therapy
approach that includes the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Trauma
Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and non-judgemental exploration
of the underlying causes of the self-injurious behavior.

If you or someone that you love is struggling with self-injury, please call to
learn how we can help.
For Your Free Phone Consultation or to
Schedule an Appointment Please call:

(412) 561-0311
or
(412) 561-0411
or email:  scott@pittsburgh-therapy.com
Windham & Leibovich PC
"Therapy That Makes Sense"
2025 Greentree Rd.
Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
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