Self Injurious Behavior

1. Self Injurious Behavior Self-mutilation Self- harm Self-abuse

2. Who self injures?

3. Who? • 2,000,000 +people per year • 97% are female • Typical self-injurer: • female, 12-15 yrs. old, middle to upper class, intelligent, perfectionist & possible eating disorder. • Onset is at puberty & peaks @ age18-25 • Behaviors can last 5-10+ years

4. HOW? • Cutting • Burning • Biting • Hair-pulling • Scratching • Skin-picking • Banging your head • Bruising/breaking bones • Not letting wounds heal

5. WHY?!?! • A way to punish their body for physically maturing or it’s “participation” in sexual abuse. • A way to gain control over their bodies and a past which they felt powerless • Most teen survivors of abuse don’t blame their perpetrator- THEY BLAME THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN BODIES!!!!!

6. WHY?!?! Strongly dislike themselves Sensitive to rejection Suppress their anger Lack good coping skills Depressed Anxious • SELF HARM = EXTERNALLY EXPRESSED from internal rage!

7. TEENS @ GREATEST RISK IE: Parental Alcoholism, Unhealthy Communication, Mental illness, Financial Stress, Domestic Violence, Parental Neglect or prolonged absence & Chaotic family conditions **Many teens say they could not remember feeling special or loved as a child

8. WARNING SIGNS • Wear long sleeves & pants especially when it is hot outside • Avoid going swimming • Change clothes in bathroom to hide marks/scars • Noticeable missing hair,unusual scars & bruising • Sharp objects in book bag • Wear bracelets & clothes to hide scars • Bite their fingernails & surrounding skin in excess

9. It Affects Teens with: • undiagnosed and untreated depression/ anxiety • low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness • Suffer from: mental illnesses (dissociative disorders, PTSD, OCD, Bi Polar, personality disorders), substance abuse problems, and eating disorders.

10. It Affects • Greatest risk factor = History of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. • Trauma Survivors learn to internalize their rage and dissociate or “check out” to escape pain **Traumatic memories are not stored & processed in the brain the same way as normal memories

11. As tension builds, teens begin to dissociate- looking for an escape. • They separate the mind from the feelings that are really causing the pain.

12. This dissociation allows teens to detach from their bodies, their environment and their behavior- As the body is injured, they immediately experience positive effects. The physical pain from self injury acts as a distraction from the emotional pain • They feel peaceful, calm and soothed *Self injury allows them to feel ALIVE Negative thoughts and feelings are forgotten and a person has a fleeting sense of self control.

13. Body responds to injury by releasing endorphins – Which allows the person to feel “High”, “Euphoric”, and “Relieved” These endorphins are: • The body’s natural pain killing substance ( “Runner’s High”) • Positive effects ….followed by… negative outcomes(Loss of control, Feelings of failure, Shame and guilt, Depression, and self-hatred.)

14. These negative outcomes leave teens emotionally vulnerable and primed to repeat the whole cycle.

15. Treatment • Individual therapy • Group Therapy • Medication

16. Help Them? • Do not ignore the problem-it probably will not go away • Talk to them • Ask Questions • Help them find help • If your friend is in denial tell a guidance counselor, health teacher, school nurse, parents, SAP referral

17. Sources of help • 1-800-DON’T CUT • www.selfinjury.com • 1-800-448-4663 National Youth Crisis Hotline • www.mnha.org

18. It could happen to anyone