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UNDERSTANDING SELF-INJURING BEHAVIORS
by Karen Theisen, MA, LLPC
Cutting, also know as self-mutilation or self-injurious behavior (SIB), became so widely reported in schools, juvenile facilities, and hospitals, it was called the "addiction of the 90's"(Strong, 1998). SIB has been well-documented throughout history, and is even mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament (I Kings 18:28). The Greek New Testament also includes an account of cutting in Mark 5:5.
SIB includes cutting, burning, self-biting, carving, scratching with the intent of drawing blood, repeated branding of the skin via burning, and repetitive hair pulling. These types of self-mutilation have compulsive, episodic elements which typically require professional intervention.
Self-injurious behaviors are not a genuine attempt at suicide. Instead, individuals who utilize SIB are desperately attempting to gain temporary relief from anxiety, depression, and depersonalization. Journalist M. Strong calls SIB the "bright red scream," a cry for help (Strong, 1998). Those who self-injure may or may not have insight into why they do it.
Research indicates those who self-injure are typically female and rates are higher in adolescents and young adults. Fifty percent of those who self-injure have an eating disorder (Favazza, 1996). Fifty to ninety percent of those who self-injure have endured some type of sexual trauma including childhood sexual abuse, incest, or rape (Barlow & Durand, 2001). Depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder are common mental health conditions seen with those who self-mutilate.
Cutting provides an escape from intrusive, traumatic memories by inducing dissociation and emotional numbness (Strong, 1999). Many who self-injure report they experience no pain while they are actually cutting. Biochemistry explains this
phenomenon. Enkephalins are opiate-like chemicals closely related to endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural opiates and provide a form of analgesia, pain relief.
Repeated SIB develops a conditioned response to stress that produce heightened levels of opiates which act as pain blockers and increase serotonin levels in the brain, enhancing the individual's mood. Thus, those who self-injure experience cutting as self-soothing.
Research indicates talk therapy and, in some cases, the use of anti-depressants has been found effective in the treatment of SIB (Johnson, 1997). It is important for therapists, family members, and friends to display a nonjudgmental attitude toward the loved one who self-injures. The goal of treatment is to process emotional and/or sexual trauma while teaching healthy skills and techniques to alleviate depression and anxiety. Healing is a process and clients may relapse. Displaying God's unconditional love is a
must.
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Karen Theisen is a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor at the Meier Clinics in Battle Creek, MI |
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NEW RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT
Meier Clinics is excited to announce that we are partnering with Timberline Knolls in Lemont, IL. Timberline Knolls is a state of the art, multi-systems, evidence-based residential treatment center dedicated to building life-long wellness planning and resilience in women working toward recovery from eating disorders,
substance abuse, mental illness and co-occurring disorders such as mental illness/substance abuse. Residential treatment can be a vital tool in breaking through difficult patterns of behavior or may even be necessary during times of acute crisis when the individual is unable to cope with the normal activities of daily life due to moderate or severe symptoms.
Meier Clinics offers a Christian track at the Timberline Knolls campus for those individuals who desire a Christian component in addition to the excellent care they receive from the Timberline Knolls staff. Residents in the Christian track meet with a Christian therapist, Dr. Margaret Nagib, three times a week and with the track chaplain, Jane Cairo, L.C.S.W. Jane, a Moody Bible Institute graduate, provides both spiritual support and counseling. Dr. Nagib's training, which included a focus on the integration of psychology and Christianity as well as specialization in eating disorders and extensive work with self-injury, greatly benefits those in the Christian track.
Meier Clinics' and Timberline Knolls' joint venture provides residents with the best of both worlds - excellent residential care and the peace of mind of having a therapist who values the importance of faith in the healing process, guiding them spiritually in their journey towards recovery. If you or someone you know might benefit from this women's residential treatment program, please contact us at
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HELPING THOSE WHO SELF-INJURE
by Corrin L. Scavo, Psy.D.
Studies have shown an estimated two million people in the United States intentionally injure themselves as a coping mechanism. Defined as the deliberate intent to physically harm oneself to regulate emotional stability, self-injury is dangerous, and on the rise among adolescents. The most common techniques employed include cutting, burning, scratching, skin picking, wound interference, and hair pulling on the arms, legs, abdomen, head, chest, and genitals.
Though commonly confused with suicide attempts, self-injury is actually inflicted on these less lethal parts of the body, which are easily hidden. Dr. Corrin Scavo, Psy.D, licensed psychologist and primary therapist at Timberline Knolls, a Chicago-based residential treatment center for women with substance abuse, eating and other emotional disorders, says this makes it particularly difficult for parents to spot.
"Rather than watching only for wounds, parents who are worried their children might be harming themselves should look for heightened anxiety levels, 'hiding behaviors' like wearing long-sleeves in the summer and an increased level of secrecy," says Dr. Scavo. Should parents discover their adolescent is self-injuring, Dr. Scavo offers the following advice:
- Don't overreact. A display of overt emotions glorifies the action of self-injuring and gives credence to this method.
- Watch your "caretaking" response. The natural reaction for many is to coddle their child, caring for the wounds and babying the self-injurer by addressing the pain. However, it is more effective to address the emotions the child had before, during, and after that led to this action.
- Don't prematurely hospitalize, but do have your child evaluated by medical staff for both medical and psychological problems.
- Discuss alternative ways for handling emotions. Suggest different coping skills such as dancing, exercising, or playing a sport to replace self-injurious behavior. Keeping a list of enjoyable activities can allow a self-injurer to choose positive replacements.
While self-injury behavior is an upsetting and disturbing disorder, parents should provide a validating environment, open lines of communication, work with their children to understand how to cope in a healthy way, and provide better tools. For more information about self-injury including treatment options and advice, parents can visit www.timberlineknolls.com.
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Dr. Corrin Scavo is a licensed clinical psychologist and one of the primary therapists at Timberline Knolls. She received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology with a minor in Health from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, followed by her Masters and Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Scavo started her clinical work as an undergraduate intern at a residential program for young girls in Peoria, IL. This was followed by work on an inpatient substance abuse unit at a hospital for adults and adolescents in central Illinois. While in graduate school she continued to work in a hospital setting with mentally ill and substance abuse clients. She gained a specialization in working with people who self-harm which became the focus of her doctoral dissertation. Upon receiving her doctorate, Dr. Scavo worked four years at a residential program for adolescent teens, working primarily with youth in the Department of Children and Family Services. Dr. Scavo is a member of both the Illinois and American Psychological Associations. She is also an adjunct faculty at the Chicago School of Psychology.
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| Would you like to partner with Meier Clinics Foundation to help make charitable mental health care available to those who need Christian counseling care but do not have the necessary financial resources? Please help us help others find the Hope, Health, and Peace they need. All donations are tax deductible. Contributions can be made at www.meierclinics.org or by calling 800-848-8872. |
". . .Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. . ."
Exodus 14:13
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