Self-Injury

The Darkness
Comes the Darkness, Comes the Light: A Memoir of Cutting, Healing, and Hope
by Vanessa Leigh Vega, M.S.
When Vanessa Vega would feel the darkness begin to come over her, she would do anything, hoping to escape it. Take a hot bath. Read a book. Watch TV. Talk to a friend. But then, finally, unable to fight it any longer, she would give in

Self-Harm
by US Department of Veterans Affairs
Self-harm refers to the deliberate, direct destruction of body tissue that results in tissue damage. When someone engages in self-harm, they may have a variety of intentions; these are discussed below.

The Burn Journals
The Burn Journals
by Brent Runyon
In 1991, fourteen-year-old Brent Runyon came home from school, doused his bathrobe in gasoline, put it on, and lit a match. He suffered third-degree burns over 85% of his body and spent the next year recovering in hospitals and rehab facilities.

What is deliberate self-harm?
by Rethink
Deliberate self-harm is any act by an individual with the intent of harming him/herself physically and that may result in some harm. For example, you may cut or burn yourself, with the intention to cause pain and injury to yourself, or you may poison your

About LifeSIGNS. Sources of Information and Support
by LifeSIGNS
LifeSIGNS (Self Injury Guidance & Network Support) is an Unincorporated Voluntary Organisation, run by directors who volunteer their time, and are responsible for their own individual actions. We aim to support all people who are affected

Self Injury Testimonials - Real Experiences
by LifeSIGNS
Please respect the words that follow, they are written by people who are currently self injuring and are their truth as they experience their life. Jess, 15 years of age: I hurt myself to release pain caused by some really bad memories or I don't know

Living with Self Injury
by LifeSIGNS
This section is for people who self injure. SCARS - Often people will ask quite innocently 'what happened to your arm?' This may immediately put you on the defensive, as it is difficult to answer. We would suggest that you only show your cuts/scars if you

Self Injury: First Aid for External Injuries, Scars
by LifeSIGNS
Recommended First Aid Kit: Surgical Tape, Bandages, Scissors, Saline Water, Antiseptic, Painkillers. Cutting: The main points when considering first aid after cutting is that you must control the bleeding and prevent any possible infection.

Self Injury Treatments and Self Help
by LifeSIGNS
Self injury is not treated as a separate syndrome, and so there are few specific ways of reducing self injury. Treatments tend to focus on the whole person, and on the underlying causes of stress and anxiety. Diagnosed mental disorders will be treated

Self Injury Facts
by LifeSIGNS
Self injury is any deliberate, non suicidal behaviour that inflicts physical harm on your body and is aimed at relieving emotional distress. Physical pain is often easier to deal with than emotional pain, because it causes 'real' feelings. Injuries can

Self Injury Awareness Booklet
by LifeSIGNS
Information for Health Care Workers, Family, Friends and Teachers of People Who Harm Themselves. This booklet has been produced in the hope that you will make use of the information, refer to it as a handy resource, use it to raise awareness of self injur

Self-Injury in Adolescents
by The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Self-injury is the act of deliberately destroying body tissue, at times to change a way of feeling. Self-injury is seen differently by groups and cultures within society. This appears to have become more popular lately, especially in adolescents.

Bill of Rights for People Who Self-Harm
by Deb Martinson
An estimated one percent of Americans use physical self-harm as a way of coping with stress; the rate of self-injury in other industrial nations is probably similar. Still, self-injury remains a taboo subject, a behavior that is considered freakish or out

Self-injury: Fact sheet (Beyond the Myths)
by Deb Martinson
Self-injury a quick guide to the basics. If the whole concept of a disorder in which people deliberately inflict physical harm on themselves confuses you or if you've been doing this for a while and never realized that it's recognized as a valid psycholog

Secret Shame
by Gordon Houghton
Felix Fly, the narrator of The Dinner Party is a self-mutilator. I created him in 1992, because I had an interest in ritual from the works of Joseph Campbell, and as a response to my own experience of self-injury. I cut myself when I was 19 because I was