SelfInjurious Behaviors

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Self-Injurious Behaviors

• Sarah Campbell
• Guidance Counselor
• Indian Valley Middle School

2
Objectives

• Define self-injurious behaviors.
• Discuss stereotypes involved with SIB.
• Discuss feelings associated with SIB.
• Discuss who is at risk, the signs, and the
  symptoms associated with SIB.
• Discuss ways teens can help others who are
  involved in SIB.

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What do you know about people who self-injure?
True or False

• Only a few very sick people self-injure.
• Teens who hurt themselves are trying to commit
  suicide, but they dont have the nerve.
• There are many ways that people self-injure.
• People who self-injure are crazy and should be
  put in hospitals.

4
What do you know about people who self-injure?
True or False

• Teens who self-injure are just trying to get
  attention from their parents.
• Self-inflicted wounds are a way of being accepted
  at school.
• Only teens who have other serious psychological
  problems will harm themselves.
• If your wounds are superficial, your self-injury
  may be just a phase.
• Girls and boys typically self-injure in different
  ways.

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Definition of SIB

• Self-injury is intentionally causing
  self-inflicted physical pain in order to cope
  with overwhelming feelings, traumatic events, or
  severe emotional pain.
• It is not done with the intent to commit suicide.
  
• AKA self-harm, self-inflicted violence,
  self-mutilation

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Types of SIB

• Cutting / Scratching
• Carving
• Burning
• Branding
• Picking/pulling skin and hair
• Choking Game
• Most common is cutting

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Girls At Risk

• Adolescent girls are most at risk (research
  states between ages 14-16) but in my experience,
  students become involved in SIB younger than 14
• Those who have difficulty talking about their
  feelings
• Victims of sexual abuse
• Those with very poor body image
• Those affected by a traumatic event
• Those in stressful situations foster students,
  abusive homes, students trying to live up to
  siblings/parents
• Those who feel powerless and who have no control
  over outcomes in their lives (social, academic,
  family)

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Boys At Risk

• Although it is most common for girls to cut, boys
  are cutters as well.
• Most often it is the boy you least expect good
  grades, good kid, no problems.
• Typically this student is dealing with the
  pressures of being a good kid and doesnt know
  how to handle it all.

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Signs and Symptoms of SIB

• Withdrawal from friends and social situations
• Wearing long sleeves or pants to cover scars and
  wounds
• Sudden mood swings or changes
• Drastic changes in grades and behavior usually
  a drop in grades and developing negative types of
  behavior
• Drastic changes in appearance (hair, make-up,
  clothing styles)

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But dont assume

• Just because a friend may exhibit some of the
  symptoms of SIB that doesnt necessarily mean
  they are involved in it. Most of these symptoms
  are also typical teenage behavior and are
  nothing to be alarmed about.
• That because you want to help your friend you can
  help your friend. You may need to get additional
  helpfrom an adult.
• That all this information is true in 100 of
  cases. There ARE exceptions to the rules!

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Why SIB?

• People who do not have the ability to discuss
  their feelings are more likely to participate in
  SIB. The scars of SIB act as evidence of an
  emotional injury proof that emotions are real,
  justified or able to be tolerated.
• Feeling like nobody will understand their
  situation or painagain this is their coping
  mechanism
• SIB is often used to create a sense of control
  over an overwhelming emotion or situation.

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Why SIB contd?

• Take risks and Rebel too afraid to try drugs,
  alcohol, or sexual activities
• Reject parental values
• State their individuality
• Attempt to gain acceptance by peers
• Is a means of exhibiting control over something
• Often a result of previous events with no closure
• Often suffering from deeper, more complex issues

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What students are saying about SIB

• 83 of students said they used SIB as a means of
  coping with feelings of depression
• 50 of students said they hoped to stop suicidal
  ideation/attempt with SIB
• A small subgroup said they used as SIB as a way
  to stop feeling numb or out of touch with
  reality
• Some have even said they didnt realize they were
  cutting until they looked down and saw the blood

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What students are saying about SIB

• I hurt myself because it allows me to escape the
  pain in my life for just a few minutes
• I hurt myself because it is the one thing in my
  life I can control
• There is more to me than the fact that I am a
  cutter
• I cant handle what is going on around me or in
  my life

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Stereotypes Myths

• SIB is a failed suicide attempt.
• Many people believe that cutters are also emo
  or freaks.
• Self-injurers are a danger to others.
• Self-injury is a sign of mental illness,
  psychological disorder, or just plain crazy.

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Feelings associated with SIB

• Guilt
• Fear
• Shame
• Worthlessness
• Anger
• Pain
• Loneliness

• Sad
• Powerless
• Lost
• Low self-esteem
• Insecure
• Secretive
• Ugly

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How you can help

• Listen! Listen! Listen!
• Avoid being alarmed if youre alarmed or
  freaked out SIB victims will go into deeper shame
  and guilt and continued isolationthey will shut
  down
• Understand that SIB victims often feel
  misunderstood so dont say you understand. Its
  ok to say that you dont understand but youre
  trying to.
• Dont overreactbe honest (I dont know what to
  say but I would like to talkto help you)

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Do

• Show concern for the student and the injuries
  themselves
• Respond without being directive or judgmental
• Encourage them to talk to an adult (preferably a
  parent)

• Provide hope
• Allow the student to vent, talk, cry, rant,
  whatever without criticism about feelings
• Encourage them to find another outlet to help
  with their emotions

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Do

• Ask questions
• Be careful when searching for information on the
  web about this issue

• Educate yourself and others about this issue
• Encourage others to educate themselves

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Dont

• React with horror or discomfort
• Demand that they just stop the behavior
• Accuse them of only doing this to seek attention
• Pry or get too personal

• Get frustrated if the behavior continues or comes
  back at a later time
• Label the student in any way
• Threaten or get angry
• Force them to talk about the behavior or the
  triggers

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Dont

• Make fun
• Tease or mock
• Judge
• Be ignorant

• Make promises
• Tell others just for the sake of spreading rumors

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Just ask

• If you need help
• If a friend needs help
• If youre curious
• If youre concerned
• If youre unsure
• Remember that cutting is what they do
  
• it is not who they are.