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Self-Injury
Whatever form of self-injury is used, the person is usually left with a calm and peaceful feeling after the act. Since those feelings are only temporary, the person will probably continue to self-injure until they deal with the underlying issues and finds healthier ways to cope.
Different people self-injure for different reasons, and often a combination of reasons is given.
Self-injury is often triggered by feelings of guilt, helplessness, rejection, self-hatred, anger, failure and loneliness. Often, although not always, these feelings stem from past or present events, such as domestic violence, death of loved ones, lack of care as a child, parental depression, alcoholism or critical behavior.
Self-injury is not the 'problem' for many who harm themselves. It is the feelings and reasons behind the cutting that are the source of pain. Many self-injurers find it extremely difficult to express their reasons for self-injury in any detail, which is why therapy can be so very beneficial - though it can take years of hard work to learn new ways of coping with their problems.
Self injurious behavior does NOT categorizes a person as psychotic, suicidal or mentally disturbed.
While many people with psychological problems may self-injure, and self-injury is sometimes accompanied by depression or occur as a symptom of another psychiatric disorder, self-injury can and often does exist alone and is a disorder in its own right.
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This Site Updated 04/09/11
Self-Injury is the deliberate harm to the self without the intent to commit suicide. It is also referred to as self-abuse, self-harm, self-mutilation, and SI.
Cutting 
