What about adults that cut themselves?

Last updated on: December 29, 2009 at 5:20 pm by Natasha Helfer

What about adults that cut themselves? 2009-12-29T17:20:00-05:00 Natasha Helfer

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Although self-cutting is usually a trend more commonly attributed to adolescents, it is also the case that many continue this behavior into adulthood. Some may even begin cutting as adults. Statistics show that females are more prone to self cutting than males. It is important to recognize that cutting is not a suicide attempt. Instead, it is a coping mechanism that is used as a way to deal with intense feelings/emotions that a person finds overwhelming. Cutting can become a compulsive behavior that can feel “out of control” for the person who cuts. Cutting is usually a sign of other underlying mental health conditions such as depression, bipoloar disorder, PTSD, eating disorders, etc. It is also common to find a history of some type of abuse in these cases.

The reasons why people start cutting don’t change much between adolescence or adulthood – and the treatment procedures are similar as well. The main thing one should do is to start talking about it and get professional help. I would recommend seeing a psychiatrist who can diagnose and prescribe appropriate medications as well as seeing a therapist/counselor that can focus on the coping skills that need to be learned and address any abuse issues or past history that is contributing to the problem. Anti-depressants as well as other mood stabilizing medicines can be a useful part of treatment. However, it is important to do the talk-therapy work as well, because medicines will not teach coping skills.

It is important for cutters to know that they are not weird, freakish or alone. There are many who are struggling with this issue. There may be support groups available depending on the area you live in – again a professional therapist would be able to help with these types of resources.

Although the following article is directed towards teens, it is informative and equally applicable to adults who may be struggling with this type of behavior.

What is cutting?

I found this book review interesting although I have not read these books myself:

A Bright Red Scream: Self-Mutilation and the Language of Pain – Cutting: Understanding and Overcoming Self-Mutilation

Taken from Cutting Statistics and Self-Injury Treatment:

“The profile of a typical self-injurer looks like this. She’s female in her mid-20’s to early 30s, and has been cutting herself since her teens. She’s intelligent , middle or upper-middle class, and well educated. She also comes from a home where she was physically and/or sexually abused and has at least one alcoholic parent.”

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