Self-Injury

Should self-injury be classified as a mental disorder? (from Non-suicidal self-injury: A brief overview and diagnostic considerations)

Diagnostic Considerations

To date, there is no specific diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR [DSM-IV-TR] that addresses a pattern of repetitive self-injury as a separate syndrome although some have suggested it be included (e.g., Favazza & Rosenthal, 1993; Muehlenkamp, 2005; Pattison & Kahan, 1983). Self-injury is listed as a symptom of a mental disorder in some instances Read more ›

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Functions, Etiology, and Psychological Factors in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (from Non-suicidal self-injury: A brief overview and diagnostic considerations)

Functions

There are several specific functions self-injury has been reported to serve with an affect regulation function of self-injury receiving the strongest support; that is, where self-injury functions to alleviate acute negative affect or affective arousal (Klonsky, 2007). Strong support has also been found for a self-punishment function of self-injury, where self-injury functions to express anger or derogation towards oneself. Other functions received modest support. Read more ›

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Introduction, Classification and Prevalence of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (from Non-suicidal self-injury: A brief overview and diagnostic considerations)

Introduction

Non-suicidal self-injury (hereafter referred to as self-injury) is the intentional hurting of one’s body by oneself, done in a physical way without conscious suicidal intent but for the general purpose of relief. Acts of self-injury fall outside the realm of what is currently viewed as socially acceptable behaviour (Whitlock, Eckenrode & Silverman, 2006). The purpose of this article is to twofold. First, it is to provide readers with a brief overview of this clinically relevant behaviour. Second, it is to explore diagnostic issues as they relate to self-injury including a consideration of the potential usefulness of utilizing both symptoms of self-injury, as well as underlying processes involved for diagnostic conceptualizations. Read more ›

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Abstract (from Non-suicidal self-injury: A brief overview and diagnostic considerations)

Non-suicidal self-injury is the intentional hurting of one’s body by oneself, done in a physical way without conscious suicidal intent but for the general purpose of relief. The present article provides a brief overview of self-injury and considers whether or not self-injury should be designated as a separate mental disorder, as well as how it might best be classified. Read more ›

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The quality and skill of honouring

He accepted–really accepted whole-heartedly–that he was angry and jealous, that he resisted and struggled, and that he was afraid. He accepted that he was also precious beyond measure–wise and foolish, rich and poor, and totally unfathomable. He felt so much gratitude that in the total darkness he stood up, walked toward the snake [a source of great fear], and bowed.  
–Pema Chodron, When Things Fall Apart, p. 5; [square bracket text added by Tracy]

You put your whole self in.
You put your whole self out.
You put your whole self in….
That’s what it’s all about.
— Lyrics from The Hokey Pokey

I believe concepts of self-compassion and emotion regulation are closely related. One aspect that can be found in both is the intention and action of honouring. Read more ›

in Articles,Self-Compassion,Working with Emotion,Working with people who self-injure

Learning loveliness

…..sometimes it is necessary

          to reteach a thing its loveliness…
                -Galway Kinnell
 

Do you know your loveliness?

Some people do, some people don’t, some people need to learn about it, or to find a way to relearn or to reconnect.

Sometimes, this is the heart of helping work: to help reteach a thing–another human being–its loveliness. Read more ›

in Articles,Working with people who self-injure

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