Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Have you ever, or do you know someone who "cuts"? Do you know why? Is it fatal? Is it chronic? Is it temporary?

Just curious,
Rhoni

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

You should have had extensive training on this, you tell us. :)

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Of course I do, just wanted to know what everyone else knows. Give it a few...:friend

Blessings,
Rhoni

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My wife is an LCSW also, I've heard her talk about it but do not understand why someone would do it... the stories I've heard are mind-boggling. The kids today are all screwed up.

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I don't "know" them per se, but as an EMT I have responded to calls from "cutters".

The ones I have responded to are very open with the fact that they are "cutters", and it did not look like suicide was the goal. Likely all of them were abuse victims, either current or past.

I think they see it as a deserved self depreciation.

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Brad,

There are as many adults, if not more, that "cut" than young people. This is not something that can be blamed on just being a young person. The only 'young person' thing that I see happening right now are those big plugs they put into their noses, lips, and ears, not unlike what I have read and seen missionaries show of African tribal cultures. This is not cutting.

Blessings, Rhoni

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I can't vote... I know what it is but don't know anyone personally who does it (that I know of - since I know that people hide that they do it).

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Her experience is more with teenagers so I assumed it was a teen thing. At least they aren't dong the plates in their lip or the rings around their necks yet! :)

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Stephen,

You are correct. Most people who 'cut' or self mutilate are 'stuffing' their feelings about something and the only relief they get from the emotional turmoil is by hurting themselves and watching the blood come out. Many have shared the fact that some of the emotion and tension is flowing out with the blood.

You are correct in saying they are not trying to 'commit suicide', but they are crying out for help. "ABUSE VICTIM" is a broad term. Let's narrow it down some.

I have to get two nieces ready for church so I will come back to this issues sometime later.

Blessings, Rhoni

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

My understanding is that they want to redirect the pain. They are in so much emotional turmoil, they cut themselves to temporarily stop that emotional pain, and make it a physical pain, with which they can deal with "better".

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Brad,
You are right...if you happen to see a cut - there are many more hidden under clothing and it spots no one would think to look.

This is a sad topic but I feel the need to address it for some reason.

Rhoni

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

The abuse I am thinking of would be physical/sexual in nature, but the precursers are often drug and alcohol abuse as well.

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Bro. Rutledge,

Absolutely. Good answer. It is a way to control something in your life, when there are other things in your life that you have no control over.

Cutting consists of:
1. Using a sharp object to slice lines into your skin
2. Using your fingernails to cause open wounds on your arms, backs, and legs.
3. Using anything to draw blood and not let healing happen

These are some ways to self-mutilate...do you know others?

Blessings, Rhoni

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Actually many people who self mutilate have not taken drugs or used alcohol..yet...it is their addiction.

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Burning, poisoning, hair pulling, stabbing and or poking oneself, anorexia and bulimia.

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I used to cut...a lot of years ago. I know why, I'd have to say it's not fatal since I'm still here :tease Chronic? Maybe. Temporary, depends. The reasons don't really go away, the approach to handling them is what has to change. Healing can happen, I've healed a lot from where I was when I cut. I have other vices though that are just as destructive and they are my first resort in a high stress situation...I'm learning to find comfort in God, but I haven't "arrived" by any means.

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Right. That's what I meant. They are victims of abuse. They likely either are, or were in abusive homes where physical and sexual abuse occured, and was compounded by the drug and alcohol abuse of their perpetrators.

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Nahkoe, My prayers are offered for you.

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Thank you. :)

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Nahkoe,

Sounds like you have insight into your reasons for the 'cutting' as well as know that your approach to them must change...absolutely. Since you have been so open before so many...can you tell what behaviors you use to deal with the pain to replace the 'cuting'?

Only answer if you feel you can. I would not want you to share something that would cause you any additional pain.

:friend
Rhoni

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Bro. Hoover,

As hard as it is to suffer physical and sexual abuse, something that is a great cause of 'cutting' self-mutiliation is about EMOTIONAL ABUSE. Emotional abuse takes many forms: someone continually using emotional blackmail to get you to do what they want you to do. Spiritual abuse also falls in this category. When you feel so worthless to others and they constantly tell you that no matter what you do you do not measure up...it causes a person to self-deprecate and become a 'perfectionist'. The anxiety this causes sets a person up to fail which causes the cycle to re-occur and they find no safe place to get out of the cycle.

The very first place I go to when I have a client who presents as a self-mutilator is: Where is the abuse? I don't ask this outright but the open-ended questions I present give them time to open up and tell their story. A relationship must be built, one of trust, before someone can really share what is 'hurting' them inside.

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Good information. Thank you for sharing this.

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Bro. Rutledge,

The minds of people give them great imaginations when it comes to harming themselves. They show up in Dr's offices continually with ailments that are self-inflicted.

We live among people who are hurting and there is no lack of place to help heal if you are a Christ follower.:friend

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Bro. Hoover,

There are areas I want to minister in but it appears that God would just like me to inform/teach right now. It appears that most of us know a little about this...and if hits home with many of us.

Just doing what I can - while I can.

You're welcome BTW

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Ashley worked for Mercy Ministries in Nashville for a period of time. They deal with all kinds of addictions, abuse, etc. in girls from teenage through early twenties. The director Nancy Alcorn wrote a great book last year on cutting, and Ashley got to edit it. It's the only book like it that we know of from a Christian perspectie.

Nancy believes that it's definitely a spiritual matter, the same for eating disorders. It's a form of self abuse and control mainly. She thinks that it's a substitute (demonic) for the blood of Jesus. As girls sacrifice their own blood, it takes the place of what Jesus did for them on Calvary - thus a deception and a form of emotional release, but from the wrong source. I'm not sure how much of this is covered in the book; honestly I can't remember. But I know that this is her premise.

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Sherri, I definately see it as demonic in nature, but I see it from the aspect of the cuters humaness (coping skills) trying to deal with the wickedness (demons) that has transpired in their life. Negative feeding on negative. I'd guess to say this kind of problem has been around forever, in one form or another. I hate to see people hurting, especially to this degree. People NEED the Lord! He is the only ultimate, long term answer.

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Sherri,

I do not agree with the premise of the book. I think the woman who wrote it is "overspiritualizing" the problem like so many of us do. I tend to agree with Bro Rutledge...sin is the cause of most of the problems in society. Not necessarily the one who is cutting, but the person who abused him/her.

I have counseled many clients, and many don't even know God much less scripture, therefore the premise that they are mimicing the blood of Jesus is a moot point. I do agree that it is more about control and giving emotional pain an outlet.

Blessings, Rhoni

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I don't mean "consciously" replacing the blood of Jesus; just in a deceived demonic sense. I tend to believe that the problem is demonic in nature.

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My first contact with someone who was a cutter, one of my roommates witnessed to a girl who had a history of self mutilation. It was dealt with as a spiritual ( demonic) issue and she was prayed for. This person did get the HG and was baptised in Jesus Name. But I do not know what happened to the girl. I think God was the answer but I do know she had some deep rooted problems that should have been dealt with in counseling. My heart goes out to people who struggle with these kind of issues. I have great admiration for people like Rhoni, who work with them.

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I have an eating disorder, for the most part I'm able to manage it (after a whole lot of years of working on it, and the reasons for it), but when I find myself in a situation where I feel out of control, I go right back to it. Right now, it's definitely evident, but not like it has been in the past. I don't consider it a thing of the past, even though I'm definitely managing things better right now than I ever have during a "storm" before.

I also smoke. Not all the time, only when I "need to". I am a fortunate person who doesn't get addicted, for me quitting is simply not buying another pack. This is by far the most prominent behavior for me, it's always been what I immediately turn to when I start sinking (I also have a history of depression, and smoking is how I've medicated that in the past) or when I'm suddenly in a situation that brings up a lot of skeletons from my past.

I am learning better ways to deal with pain, I've realized more about the nature and character of God lately than I could begin to expound on. For those of you who've been praying, this is where you know your prayers have made a difference. I have begun to learn to trust God. I have been learning that letting go of hurt is very safe when it's God I'm letting have it. There is far more comfort available in God than anything else I've ever turned to, and the more I turn to Him, the more He proves Himself to me, the more I find myself able to trust Him, the easier it is for me to turn to Him and not other things.

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Thank you Nakoe for being so transparent. Many of us are praying for you.

Love & Blessings, Rhoni

Re: Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"
 

Thank you Sherri & Blubayou for your comments. There are some things that are demonic in nature, and there may be some people who struggle with demonic forces which cause them to act out/cut, but the majority of cutters are not acting out of demonic oppression or depression but out of life's situations in which they have had little to no control.

I have a client who was worried about a family member who cuts and I asked her what she does when she is trying to "self-soothe"? She said, "I eat". I said, "The how is this any different from your family member who cuts"? She answered, "I guess it is the same...it is what I can control." I said exactly. Both harm self, the cutting, as well as the overeating.

What do you do to self-soothe? And don't tell me you all pray! LOL:tease

Blessings, Rhoni

P.S. All things in life are not related to demonic forces or angelic beings...some things are just the natural state of man, of which Solomon says..."There is nothing new under the sun"!

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Thank you Rhoni. I know there are so many praying for me.

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I have been thinking of you all day and the song just keeps coming to mind and I think I sent it to you... Jesus can work it out ;)

Love you girl!!!

Heading to walmart to finish school supplies AGAIN (didnt I say that last night too? lol) This time we are gonna finish I promise!!!

Oh and I have 2 backpacks to bring or send you also!!!! And some school supplies... and dont forget my email

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I'll answer again..lol

I'm learning to play bass guitar, and acoustic guitar. Playing is very, very soothing for me.

I listen to music. (preferably while doing something else)

I'm learning how to translate directly from Hebrew.

Helping other people is also soothing for me. I just have to be careful I don't take on too much emotionally that's not mine, and that I don't neglect myself for someone else.

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I will get to your email! lol Right now I'm just trying not to forget...you know..underwear or something else stupid. :ursofunny

And please do BRING those to me. I'd so absolutely love to meet you. Bring Rhoni along when you come. lol

Hey...T....you sent me a LOT of songs...any more hints so I can find that one?

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Um let me think who its by.... Dr Charles hayes but I know thats not who I had it by... I will resend it later when I get back LOL

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I cut one every now and then! :eeeew

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:aaa

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The cases I have been familiar with were caused from sexual abuse. It is tragic to know someone can be that desperate. Blessings to you for helping the wounded.