How ever you refer to it, self-mutilation, cutting, self-injury, para-suicide or self-harm it is caused by major trauma in ones lives. A combination of sexual abuse and physical abuse are common. The different behaviors of self-mutilation are, cutting, burning, breaking bones, pinching skin, pulling hair. Anything that inflicts pain to oneself for the purpose of feeling the physical over the emotional pain. Survivors will turn to many different things to "Numb" the emotional pain that they feel as a result of abuse. Some turn to drugs and alcohol and other turn to self-mutilation. They can both be considered an addiction. Self-mutilation takes a lot of work and time to overcome. Like a drug and alcohol addiction, self-mutilation is progressive often in the face of consequences. Their are consequences everytime it is inflicted. The addictive pattern of self-mutilation is a relief of sorts, dulling the emotions that are brought on by abuse. Like drugs and alcohol, it is a temporary escape not a permenant one. The survivor is left with a disorder that is as destructive as the abuse.

A few things that may cause self-mutilating are:

Negative body image- feelings that her body is bad or they are bad for what they had done. This leads to more hateful behavior toward her own body.

Physical pain over emotional- The suvivor will drown themselves in the physical pain to alleviate the emotional pain they feel.

Self hatred- Low self esteem, "I am ugly, I am stupid, I wish I would never have been born." These are some of the degrating statements they may say. Survivors often feel uncomfortable feeling a sense of self-worth, which is not what they learned through being abused.

Blood- Blood is always an attention getter and for some survivors, any attention is good. The sight of ones blood also shows they are alive even though they may not feel they are emotionally.

Numbing feelings- Self-mutilation is another way to cope. The same as drug and alcohol, disassociation, denial Multiple-personality disorder and other disorders. None lead to the healing of the abuse.

Anger- someone who injures themselves does not often know how to deal with their anger. Their self-hate for their bodies make their bodies the focus of their anger.

Beginning the recovery of self-mutilation is a difficult step but one well worth it. The source of my information suggests finding a support group that dealings with the disorder of self-mutilation. In these groups you will be taught the alternative to self-mutilation, (feeling your emotions.) You will be taught that self-mutilation is a choice and one you can change. It takes time, a lot of help and effort but it can be overcome. Take the first step and contact a support group now.