Self-Injury: It Hurts So Good

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Self-Injury It Hurts So Good
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The Basics

• What is self-injury?
• Self injury is the deliberate, repetitive,
  impulsive, non-lethal harming of ones self.
• What are some common terms used to describe it
• Self-Injury (preferred term)
• Self-Mutilation
• Cutting

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Incidence Onset

• An estimated 1 of the U.S. population are
  self-injurers.
• Incidence is higher in females than males.
• Typical onset is at puberty.
• Behaviors often last 5-10 years, but can last
  longer.

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Background of Self-Injurers

• Middle to upper class background .
• Average to high intelligence.
• Low self-esteem.
• Nearly 50 report physical/sexual abuse during
  childhood.
• Many report (as high as 90), that they were
  discouraged from expressing emotion.

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Behavior Patterns Associated with Self-Injury

• Cutting arms and legs.
• Trying to hide scars or cuts with long clothing.
• Eating disorders and substance abuse.

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Reasons for Self-Injury

• Feelings of emptiness.
• Over/under stimulation.
• Inability to express feelings.
• Loneliness.
• Not being understood by others.
• Adult responsibilities.
• Provides a way to cope.
• Gives a sense of relief, although this relief is
  temporary.

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Dangers

• Could result in more harm than intended.
• Sense of desperation resulting from the lack of
  self-control.
• Could lead to suicide.
• Eating disorders and substance abuse can
  intensify the struggle.

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Do you struggle with self injury? What should
you do?

• Talk with a mental health professional.
• Pursue treatment.
• Lots of options exist for treating the issues
  associated with self injury. If you are involved
  in self-injury, seek assistance from a trained
  health care provider.

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Real Life Informational Websites

• www.palace.net/llama/psych/intro.html
• www.bme.freeq.com/news/selfmutp.html
• wysiwyg//12/http//www.geocities.legePark/Quad/2
  423/selfinjury.html
• wysiwyg//24/http//www.service4you.net/selfinjury
  /brights.shtml
• www.worldchat.com/public/asarc/selfmutl.htm

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Christa Sandelier is currently serving as the
Area Coordinator for the Jester Center at the
University of Texas in Austin.  She received her
Bachelor's degree at Delaware Valley College in
PA and her Master's at Shippensburg University in
PA.  After spending time as a Residence Director
and working on her Master's at Shippensburg
University she worked as an Area Coordinator at
Colorado State University.  Christa has written a
number of works for Reslife.Net and also
co-authored a chapter for ACUHO-I's Pursuing a
Career in Housing.  She has also served as a
panelist for an audio conference for Paperclip
Communications on supervision.  Christa is an
active member in ACPA, serving on the Placement
Center Committee.  She is looking to begin her
doctorate in the near future.
About the creator of this bulletin board