How To Recognize Someone Lost In Self Abuse
Written by Lacy Leathers
Self abuse, also known as ‘cutting’, is a sad and dangerous phenomenon. This way of dealing with pain is closely related to addiction and may be an addiction in itself.
Read on to find out to recognize the symptoms so that you may be able to help someone who is in this destructive holding pattern.
For many, the thing most puzzling about self-abuse is the contradiction: Self abusers, or ‘cutters’, hurt themselves in order to feel better….. Endorphins are released. Experts say that when people who self abuse become emotionally overwhelmed. They use a self-inflicted injury to break the tension, allowing them to focus on something other than the emotion they're feeling. Experts also say that this is a coping technique that is developed early in childhood. At times, ‘cutters’ injure themselves to the point of no return……death.
Signs of someone who participates in self abuse or ‘cutting’:nn* Wearing of long-sleeves or pants in warm weathernn* Explaining away frequent minor injuries as accidents or cat scratchesnn* Withdrawn or depressed behaviornn* Inability to freely express emotionsnn* Difficulty in handling intense feelings
Answer true or false to these questions to find out if you may be suffering from self-abuse:nn* I often obsess about self abuse.nn* I sometimes can't explain where my injuries come from.nn* I get anxious when my wounds start to heal.nn* I often believe that if I don't hurt myself, I'll go crazy.nn* No one can hurt me more tha
I can hurt myself.nn* I can't imagine life without self-injury.nn* If I stop self abuse, my parents win.nn* I often self abuse as a way to punish myself.nn* I often self abuse to show others how I feel.nn* I often believe that if I don't hurt myself I'll explode.nn* I almost always carry something with me that I can use to hurt myself.
If you can, or you know someone who can answer true to any of these questions…..Seek Professional Help! It could be the difference between life and death.
Article author
About the Author
Lacy Leathers is a concerned parent and freelancer who has learned about addiction and addictive behavior through many years of counseling and patient treatment due to an addicted family member. It is her goal to provide help wherever possible on this important subject.
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