Self injury is often a common occurrence in those with eating disorders.
Self injury has become more discussed in today’s society. As a result, more people are coming forward to seek the help they need to recover from self injuring patterns. Those with eating disorders like binge eating, anorexia , and bulimia often suffer from self injury as a part of their disease. In seeking out the root of the self injury pattern, recovery from the self harm as well as the eating disorder is highly possible.
What is Self Injury?
Self injury is when someone causes a self inflicted injury upon themselves. Some people will inflict injury directly on their bodies causing harm and producing an injury. Others may use the form of alcohol abuse and drug abuse as forms of injury to their body. The method of injury varies from person to person. Some individuals verbally abuse themselves from within. They put themselves down and hurt themselves emotionally. It is also important to know that those who self abuse themselves carry tremendous amounts of guilt and shame inside and by carrying these negative emotions around, this is also very self destructive to the individual. If something you do has a negative impact on your safety and health, it is self abuse.
The Link with Eating Disorders
Individuals often use food as way of self-abuse. They may deprive themselves of food or eat too much. These behaviors can include bingeing, purging and vomiting and this behavior is very self-destructive and yet another form of self abuse.
The Causes of Self Injury
The issue of self injury is a complex issue and the degree and frequency is different for everyone. It is said that first episodes of self abuse can begin in adolescence. It typically begins after a major difficult change that has occurred in one’s life such as a divorce or as indicated in the story above, a new school. But this may not be the case for you.
Many find that self abuse has a very soothing and calming effect. It allows them to cope with feelings and emotions and even escape from them. If individuals feel angry towards themselves, this is a way in which they take out their inside anger out upon themselves. While there is pain inflicted on the outside, the pain on the inside is eased and even dulled. There is a slight endorphin rush when the skin is cut or burned, causing the person to feel ‘better’ for a few moments. But as with anything that’s addictive, more and more is needed to get that same positive feeling.
Possible Causes/Triggers for Self Injury:
- Depression
- History of family problems and abuse
- Low self esteem
- Psychiatric disorders
- Relationship problems
- Substance abuse
Stopping Self Injury Patterns
While eating disorders often have treatment programs, there may not be a program dedicated solely to self injury in your area. Here are some ways you can begin to manage your self abuse troubles on your own.
Talk with others – Instead of bottling up your feelings, be sure to talk to those you love and care about to let them know how you’re feeling. Those who love you want to help you, but only if they know you’re having troubles.
Find help online – You will also find a number of great resources online and in books to help you cope with self injury.
Work with a therapist – Ideally, you should work with a mental health professional to find the source of your self injury and the find ways to address it.