SELF-MUTILATION

Self-Mutilation

Self-Mutilation

Introduction

Self-mutilation is a deliberate attempt to inflict pain or damage one's body. Forms of self-mutilation include cutting, scratching, punching, burning, biting, and pinching. Women practice self-mutilation at higher rates than men and may do it for gender-specific reasons. Self-mutilation has been found throughout diverse groups of women, spanning differences in age, race, ethnicity, and class. While the practice is deliberate, it is often a compulsion that is difficult for women to control. This practice of cutting is widespread in teenage girls, often done by damaging the body with sharp objects such as knives, razors, or scissors,. Cutting is not new to the 21st century, but it is growing in frequency. There is little anthropological literature on self-injury across cultures and statistical analysis is insufficient. Many women hide their activities and may experience shame surrounding their participation in self-harm. This makes it difficult to acquire accurate measurements of the rate of, and reasons behind, women's self-mutilation.

Discussion

Self-mutilation is an attempt to change the mood by causing physical harm in the body to cause damage in the tissues without the intention to commit suicide. This means that the person does not attempt suicide, but is trying to change his mood at any price. The most common form of physical self-mutilation is chopping or cutting the skin or burn directly or by bringing something hot. According to a recent study the most happening places of harm is the arm, wrist, ankle and lower legs, while following the abdomen and the inner surface of the thigh, and feet. Knives, razors, broken glass, nails, needles, pens, small nails, or even parts of the cans are used. In most cases, this incidences occurs when a person is alone (Polk & Liss, 2009).

There are a variety of titles and definitions used for self-injury. Self-injury is referred to as Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB), Self-Mutilation (SM), Self-Cutting and self-Injury (SI). Self-injury is sometimes practiced for religious reasons and is culturally sanctified. Religious mutilation myths in India and Scandinavia have inspired some women to engage in mutilation rituals (Trepal, 2010). Self-mutilation might be used as a coping strategy for women who have not been taught how to deal with overwhelming emotions in a less harmful way. Women may self-mutilate to cope with sudden traumatic life events, such as a death in the family or a parental divorce. They may also use it as a way to cope with past traumatic experiences, like sexual and physical abuse.

Failing to cope with frustration or dissatisfaction leads to the time of isolation and then ultimately it is the need to slash and burn. The pain turned against it is reassuring because it shows that the person has the power and it does not need the other (White Kress et al, 2006). The pain is not sought for itself, no masochism. However, even if the person is not suicidal at the time, it may precede a suicide attempt. The pain is sought to finally find its ...