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What Is It?
Self inflicted violence (SIV) is also known as cutting or self mutilation.
Self inflicted violence is done by oneself to oneself and is not a suicide attempt.
The violent behavior includes cutting, burning, scratching, hair pulling and other self destructive actions.
It involves intentionally harming one’s own body for the purpose of escaping ones feelings.
Most people who self harm follow a planned or ritualized pattern, using a favorite instrument or favorite location.
Both men and women intentionally injure themselves. Although research suggests that there are more women than men who self harm.
Persons who self injure often come from emotionally fragile backgrounds that are traumatic. Those who engage in SIV commonly report histories that include physical and/or sexual abuse, neglect, parental depression or addiction, rigid family rules that prevent open expression of thoughts and feelings, extreme, chaotic or inconsistent family rules.
Common characteristics are as follows: low self esteem, difficulty establishing boundaries, poor expression of feelings, extremely negative self evaluation, chronic suppressed anger and/or anxiety.
Portions of this information have been adapted from Understanding Self Inflicted Violence by Thomas J. Schulz MS, CADCII.