Self-Injury Behavior

Definition:
Self-injury is deliberate, self-effected, low-lethality bodily harm of a socially unacceptable nature, carried out to reduce psychological distress.

Self-injury is a means that some people use to cope with their pain. Some of the more common forms of self-injury are:
cutting
scratching
self-burning
interfering with healing wounds
self hitting
head banging
It is usually younger people that use this form of coping (13-24 yrs.) and they do it for a variety of reasons. It could be:
Environmental
-family issues
-physical and/or sexual abuse
-school/peer issues
Biological
-Alexithymia (difficulty identifying and describing emotional experiences)
-low serotonin (negative mood, low impulse, anxiety)
-an addiction to the endorphins released when pain is experienced
-low cortisol levels(making the person more sensitive to stress)
Cognitive
-how a person interprets events
-making assumptions
-self-defeating,critical attitude
As you can see there are many factors that can contribute to a person's pain. A person who self-injures may have many or only one, it is their ability to cope with the factors that is the issue. A person who self-injures is not usually suicidal, they are looking for a way to release the pain that they are feeling. If you know someone who self-injures, it is important to ask them if they are suicidal, just in case. Here are some warning signs that someone is self-injuring:
-frequent injuries (cuts, bruises, burns) with suspicious explanations
-wearing pants and long sleeves in warm weather (to cover injuries)
-wearing bangles, bracelets, and wristbands (to cover injuries)
-low self esteem
-difficulty handling emotions, easily overwhelmed
-extremely sensitive to rejection
There are many warning signs, this is just the top few. What to do if you suspect someone that you know or care about is using self-injury to cope with life, encourage them to get help. Do not react in a disgusted, negative manner. Be supportive and encourage them to seek professional help.