This is actually a hot topic in the custodial care
world and the psychiatric world. The psychological
mechanisms behind this are multifactorial and seem to
be related to gain.
What I mean by gain: "I feel anxious and up tight,
cutting relieves the tension"
"I am in a situation I don't like, cutting changes the
situation, ie to go to hospital, I get out of a police
cell."
"I have internal pain which I can't rationalise and
noone cares, cutting draws attention to this"
"serves you right - look what you've made me do to
myself"
" I am nothing, I hate myself...look.."
It would seem that this behaviour, once embarked on is
very difficult to treat and deal with.
It also increases your risk of suicide and is often
situation specific.
Low expressed emotion to the patient, dealing with the
wounds as non invasively as possible and a long, long
period of psychological intervention is what is
required.
I'm not sure we deal with this well at all in A/E but
maybe this comment is specific to depts. I know
personally. These guys are almost "in the way" and I
feel sure it reinforces their own feelings of
rejection and worthlessness.
What are the thoughts ?
Iain
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/
|