Self Mutilation

Explains how and why people injure themselves and offers treatment options.

A quarter century after it was first published, Bodies under Siege remains the classic, authoritative book on self-mutilation. Now in its third edition, this invaluable work is updated throughout with findings from hundreds of new studies, discussions of new models of self-injury, an assessment of the S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) program, and the Bill of Rights for People Who Self-harm. Armando Favazza’s pioneering work identified a wide range of forces, many of them cultural and societal, that compel or impel people to mutilate themselves. This new edition examines the explosive growth in the incidence of self-injurious behaviors and body modification practices. Favazza critically assesses new and significant biological, ethnological, social, and psychological findings regarding self-injury; presents current understandings of self-injurious acts from cultural and clinical perspectives; and places self-mutilation in historical and contemporary context.

Discusses self-mutilation, describing why some individuals choose to hurt themselves, explaining how body modification and self-mutilation are related, and pointing out where to go for help.

"I highly recommend [A Bright Red Scream], because it’s beautifully written and . . . so candid.” —Amy Adams, star of HBO's Sharp Objects in Entertainment Weekly Self-mutilation is a behavior so shocking that it is almost never discussed. Yet estimates are that upwards of eight million Americans are chronic self-injurers. They are people who use knives, razor blades, or broken glass to cut themselves. Their numbers include the actor Johnny Depp, Girl Interrupted author Susanna Kaysen, and the late Princess Diana. Mistakenly viewed as suicide attempts or senseless masochism—even by many health professionals—"cutting" is actually a complex means of coping with emotional pain. Marilee Strong explores this hidden epidemic through case studies, startling new research from psychologists, trauma experts, and neuroscientists, and the heartbreaking insights of cutters themselves--who range from troubled teenagers to middle-age professionals to grandparents. Strong explains what factors lead to self-mutilation, why cutting helps people manage overwhelming fear and anxiety, and how cutters can heal both their internal and external wounds and break the self-destructive cycle. A Bright Red Scream is a groundbreaking, essential resource for victims of self-mutilation, their families, teachers, doctors, and therapists.

First Published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This title examines how self-injury affects individuals and society, investigates how people are working to put an end to self-injury, and analyzes the controversies and conflicting viewpoints surrounding the issue. Features include a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and essential facts. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Milia examines the effect of art therapy interventions with clients who harm their bodies. Demonstrating how these theories can be implemented in practice, Milia describes examples from her clinical experience, and includes case studies. Her practical book extends our understanding of the self-mutilation concept and how best it may be addressed.

The Cornell University College of Human Ecology categorizes self-injury as intentional carving or cutting of the skin, subdermal tissue scratching, intentional burning, banging or punching oneself, and embedding objects under the skin. To date, sixteen forms of self-injury have been documented, and recent studies show that there is no one "profile" for self-harm. This critical edition discusses self-mutilation and other self-harm behaviors. Chapters explore why some individuals harm themselves, the risks of self-injury, and how to treat and prevent it.

Cutting and self-injury are delicate issues many teens face and this title offers nonjudgmental guidance and information to those who cut and self injure as well as to their friends and family. Often, the problem is connected to a deeper issue that, if not addressed, can lead to problems much more serious than those that are just skin deep. Topics addressed are why people self-injure, getting help, and learning to cope, all of which are covered with Rosen’s hallmark sensitivity to such serious health-related issues.