Self-Harming Behavior

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how self-harm includes any intentional act that damages tissue or causes illness with little or no intent of suicide. It looks at how self-harm can be divided into three major categories: major self-mutilating behaviors, stereotypical self-mutilating behaviors, and moderate/superficial self-mutilation. The three subtypes of the last category, compulsive, episodic, and repetitive self-mutilation, are the focus of this paper. It discusses how environmental factors are associated with self-harm, such as severe sexual abuse, physical abuse, and a history of stealing. It analyzes how myths and misunderstandings negatively impact the treatment of self-harm and how Dialectic Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, EMDR, and group therapies have demonstrated some success in treating self-harm.

From the Paper:

"One distinguishing characteristics of these behaviors is that they so overwhelmingly preoccupy the thoughts of the person that he or she begins to identify himself or herself by the form their self-harm takes. Self-harm is very disturbing to this person. Repetitive self-mutilation usually begins in early adolescence and can persist for decades although there can be breaks lasting several years between groups of episodes. The most common forms of RSM are cutting, pin sticking, interfering with wound healing, severe skin scratching, head banging, bone breaking, insertion of foreign objects into the urethra, and vaginal laceration. Those with RSM report that it helps them relieve anxiety, tension, anger, rage, racing thoughts, depersonalization, depression, and feelings of loneliness (Favazza, 1996)."

More papers on Self-Harming Behavior:

• Term Paper # 146320 : "Self-Harm Behaviors in Adolescents"
• Research Paper # 29677 : "Self-Injurious Behavior"
• Research Paper # 105680 : "Self-Harm in Adolescent Females"

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