Self Help Information

Cutting and self-abuse are on the rise. Those who cut themselves and engage in other masochistic behaviors (burning, drinking toxic substances, hand punching) are either seeking control in their lives and or relief from agonizing or numbing emotions. This behavior can actually bring relief to people who are experiencing inordinate amounts of anxiety or numbness in their lives. Cutting into the skin and body piercing is also one way the cutter manipulates parents, friends and care providers. Cutting and self-abuse is most commonly found among adolescents but are not strictly limited to such. People with borderline personality disorders often manifest symptoms of self-abuse. Self-abuse involving injury to the body is more commonly seen in females than males. Males are more likely to engage in high-risk activities such as fast, unsafe driving. About 60% of people who injure the body do not feel any physical pain at the time of injury. In most cases, people who self-injure are not attempting to commit suicide. However, suicide rates among self-injurers are much higher than among those who do not do so.