#Cutting oneself is a form of #NonsuicidalSelf-Injury (#NSSI). It refers to the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned. Other examples include burning, scratching, and banging or hitting oneself.
An article by Cornell University, entitled, #Self-injury&RecoveryResources(SIRR) stated that “In clinical populations, self-injury is strongly linked to childhood abuse, especially childhood sexual abuse… #Self-injury is also linked to eating disorders, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders.” The consensus among clinicians is that more research is needed in this field and it appears NSSI is increasing.
Whenever I see evidence of NSSI, the following questions come to my mind: Why are you living below your means? Why are you hiding in dark places? Why are you isolating yourself from others? What is the pain inside that you are running from? Why are you cutting yourself off from others that can help you?
Cutting is not a new phenomenon. Jesus encountered a man who was living in burial caves. No one could keep him tied up, even with chains. No one was strong enough to control him. He would scream and cut himself with rocks. Jesus commanded the evil spirits to come out and the man was completely healed.
Fast forward, 2,000 years, how do you find help if you are cutting yourself? The Conclusions of a study by #Janis Whitlock, MPH, PhD and #Kerry L. Knox, PhD, entitled, #The Relationship Between Self-injurious Behavior and Suicide in a Young Adult Population, found that self-injurious behavior is not a suicidal gesture, but its presence should trigger suicide assessment.
Self-injury serves a function. Explicitly teaching more appropriate coping strategies may be one way to provide self-injurers with adaptive alternatives. If you need immediate support to help stop cutting, call the self-injury hotline at 1-800-DON’T CUT. If you’re looking for therapy, visit #S.A.F.E. Alternatives for some guidelines on how to find a professional who’s a good fit for you or your loved one.
Never underestimate the power of prayer and don’t leave it out of your recovery program. The Word says, that Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted, bring deliverance to those in captivity, including the poor; those who are living in caves, shame, dark places; and recovery of sight to the blind, so that they can see clearly and know that there is hope in spite of their past; and to set at liberty those who are bruised and have low self-esteem. (Luke 4:18)
You are loved, capable, intelligent, beautiful, and fearfully and wonderfully made! #God’s will is that you have an abundant, healthy and fulfilled life. If you like this post, please give me a thumbs up, comment, and brighten someone else’s day who may be feeling desperate and alone by sharing it with them.
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