Self-Injury:
It Hurts So Good
The Basics
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What is self-injury?
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Self injury is the deliberate, repetitive,
impulsive, non-lethal harming of one’s
self.
What are some common terms used to
describe it:
Self-Injury (preferred term)
 Self-Mutilation
 Cutting

Incidence & Onset
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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.
Background of Self-Injurers
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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.
Behavior Patterns Associated
with Self-Injury
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Cutting arms and legs.
Trying to hide scars or cuts with long
clothing.
Eating disorders and substance abuse.
Reasons for Self-Injury
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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.
Dangers

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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.
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 selfinjury, seek assistance from
a trained health care
provider.
Real Life:
Informational Websites
www.palace.net/~llama/psych/intro.html
 www.bme.freeq.com/news/selfmutp.html
 wysiwyg://12/http://www.geocities….lege
Park/Quad/2423/selfinjury.html
 wysiwyg://24/http://www.service4you.net
/selfinjury/brights.shtml
 www.worldchat.com/public/asarc/selfmutl.
htm
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About the creator of this bulletin board:
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.