What do you know about cutters and cutting?
 

Do you know anything about this phenomenon? Have you ever done it? Do you have friends who've done this? Can you tell me a little about it? I've read some stuff online, but I'd rather be able to relate to some personal experiences. This will help me in working with the youth at my job.

Please feel free to PM me if it's not something you feel comfortable discussing on a message board.

ETA: Here are some websites that I found interesting:

http://www.focusas.com/SelfInjury.html
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/G...ing_story.html (who knew about Princess Di???)


Eventually, I will merge this thread in with the depression thread.

I don't know much about this since I'm not a cutter and have never dealt with a cutter (as far as I know). I do know that in the movie Thirteen, the girl is a cutter and cutting issues were dealt with on the show 'Degrassi' - It's a show on Noggin that deals with a lot of teenage issues. Very good show.

From what I learned from those shows, and other real life shows, it's a way of distracting themselves from the emotional pain they are experiencing at the time. Cutters seem to wear clothes with tight sleeves all the time, even in summer, stuff that covers up the scars and has no chance of accidentally being rolled up. That is if they cut themselves on the arms. I've not heard of cutting anywhere other than the forearm, mainly because it's easily accesible I guess.

Forgot to do this earlier
 

Ideal, here's some suggested reading on this subject (books can be found in Barnes & Noble bookstore and online):

1. Cutting - Steven Levenkron

From The Critics
Publisher's Weekly
The psychotherapist whose books (including the novel The Best Little Girl in the World) have illuminated the nature and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anorexia nervosa and bulimia now shines the spotlight on another misunderstood behavioral disorder: self-mutilation. Levenkron begins by advising desensitization to the disturbing wounds, scars and blood-letting patients inflict upon themselves, redirecting focus toward the underlying issues. He likens cutting to OCD in that it is a compulsive act meant to relieve unbearable emotional pain, and to eating disorders in that it is a method of seizing control. Like anorexics, most cutters are girls, unable to express anger toward others, instead turning it against themselves. Levenkron is careful to explain that cutting is not the same as body piercing or tattooing, which reflect "adolescent trendiness," and that cutters are not suicidal, their wounds life-threatening only rarely and accidentally. Cutting is done secretly, "usually in a trancelike state," and "the act of creating pain... or drawing blood, is in itself the goal." Cutters then develop an "addiction" to this method of exchanging physical pain for emotional pain. With many examples from his practice, Levenkron provides clear and comprehensive information on the causes and effective treatments of this mysterious disorder, specific advice for therapists and an encouraging sense of hope for patients and their families. (May)



2. Bright Red Scream: Self-Mutilation and the Language of Pain - Marilee Strong

3. Everything You Need to Know about Self-Mutilation: A Helping Book for Teens Who Hurt Themselves - Gina Ng

4. Skin Game: A Cutter's Memoir - Caroline Kettlewell

5. The Scarred Soul - Tracy Alderman

Hope this helps.

I had a patient last week that has been cutting herself for 18 years. Always done superficially (sp)... She says the blood lets her know she is still alive... She was sexually and physically abused for 15 years by her father and uncle. Very sad. She has tried to kill herself several times... always by oding on pills. Never by cutting.

OH OK!
 

Soror Ideal, I thought this thread was about something else. Here in the south "CUTTING" has another meaning :D . I was like "I know she's not asking about what I THINK she's asking about". ;)