Newsletters for Mental Health
Theresa Trenier, Intern Counselor, MSOE Counseling Services
October 2006
Every day we are faced with challenges; work, school, family,friends, our pasts, and our future. We can deal with these stresses insome healthy and unhealthy ways. Some individuals deal with theirstresses through self injurious behavior. This is defined as the“volitional attack to harm one’s body without any intention to die as aresult of the behavior” (White Kress, 2002). According to someresearchers, up to 2-4% of the general population engages in selfinjury (White Kress, 2003). Additionally, it is estimated that one totwo million people in the United States intentionally and repeatedlybruise, cut, burn, mark, scratch, and mutilate different parts of theirown bodies (Ferentz, 2002). And college students are no exception tothis statistic.
Self injurious behaviors do not just include cutting orscratching. Other forms of self injury could include reckless driving,shoplifting, sexual promiscuity or unprotected sex, substance abuse andeating-disordered behaviors (Ferentz, 2002). However, not allbehaviors that are painful are considered self injurious. Tattoos,body piercings, and other body art do not fall into this category. Additionally, in different cultures, there are rituals and rites ofpassage that entail pain to the body, but are more sociallyacceptable. But why would someone want to hurt themselves?
Typically, those who engage in self injurious behaviors are in agreat deal of emotional pain and they are using the self injury asa coping mechanism. According to Lisa Ferentz (2006):
"Anyone who engages in self-harm is desperately trying to cope with overwhelming feelings and thoughts. Self-inflicted violence is meant to soothe, alleviate anxiety, and increase a sense of power and control. Ironically, as the behavior escalates, it actually exacerbates feelings of disempowerment, alienation and helplessness."
These overwhelming feelings could be from many different sources, such astrauma, physical and sexual abuse, loss of a parent or loved one, depression,substance abuse, and serious family dysfunction (i.e. alcoholism/violence),among many others (White, Trepal-Wollenzier, & Nolan, 2002). Overall, sexual abuse is the highest predictor for self injurious behaviors (White, Trepal-Wollenzier, & Nolan, 2002). It is the process of self injury that allows people to externally show their internal pain.
Currentresearch has also found that males and females engage in self injuriousbehaviors equally. Self-harm often begins in early adolescence, peaksbetween the ages of 18 and 24, and decreases as the person enters the30s and 40s (Ferentz, 2002). Additional research has found thatcollege aged students (18-22 years) are at the highest risk forengaging in self injurious behaviors, with up to 12% inflicting selfinjury (White Kress, 2003).
Despitethese harsh statistics and facts, there are ways of breaking the cycleof self injury. It is essential that those suffering find ways toidentify and express feelings verbally and find alternatives ofexpression rather than self injury (White, Trepal-Wollenzier, & Nolan; Reynolds, 2002). Somealternatives to self injury can be holding an ice cube in each hand for10 min, taking a bath/nap/walk, singing very loudly, drawing a picture,writing a letter, marking your arm/leg with lipstick, masturbate/engagein safe sex, play an instrument, or even just talking to someone canprovide an outlet for ones’ feelings (Warner, 2004). Support iscrucial so that individuals can hope and believe that they will getbetter. For additional information and sources for support, pleasevisit:
Resources:
Ferentz, L.R. (2002). Understanding Self Injurious Behavior, www.aboutourkids.org electronic newsletter, 6 (2), November/December 2001.
Warner, C.E. (2004). Borderline Personality Disorder. Eau Claire, WI: PESI Healthcare, LLC.
White Kress, V.E. (2003). Self-InjuriousBehaviors: Assessment and Diagnosis.
White Kress, V.E., Gibson, D. M., & Reynolds, C. A. (2002). Adolescents Who Self-Injure: Implications and Strategies for School Counselors., Professional School Counseling, 7(3), p.195-201.
White.,V.E., Trepal-Wollenzier, H., & Nolan, J.M. (2002). CollegeStudents and Self Injury: Intervention Strategies for Counselors,Journal of College Counseling, 5(2), p.105-113.
MSOE Counseling Services creates monthly newsletters on mental health concerns and psychological issues. You can view the complete list of Counseling Services Newsletters.
MSOE Counseling Services is located on the second floor of the Kern Center (K-230). To schedule an appointment with a counselor, call (414) 277-7590 or visit the Counseling Services homepage.