Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"

[Tim Rutledge]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

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

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".

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

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".

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

[Tim Rutledge]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

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

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

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

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

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.

[Sherri]

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.

[Tim Rutledge]

Originally Posted by Sherri

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.

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.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Sherri

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.

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

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.

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

[ILG]

When I worked as a domestic violence advocate I saw 'cutting' more than I'd ever seen it before. Mostly by younger girls who had been sexually abused. What I find odd about it all is that years ago, girls acted out with anorexia/bulimia or promiscuity or something like that. But now, it's wierd. Suddenly everyone is 'cutting'. I don't know. It almost seems like a fad. I am not trying to dismiss the seriousness of it, as I know it is a serious issue. It just makes me wonder about the 'choice' of acting out.

[TalkLady]

Originally Posted by ILG

When I worked as a domestic violence advocate I saw 'cutting' more than I'd ever seen it before. Mostly by younger girls who had been sexually abused. What I find odd about it all is that years ago, girls acted out with anorexia/bulimia or promiscuity or something like that. But now, it's wierd. Suddenly everyone is 'cutting'. I don't know. It almost seems like a fad. I am not trying to dismiss the seriousness of it, as I know it is a serious issue. It just makes me wonder about the 'choice' of acting out.

With all the gore in horror movies, I personally think that in some small way that may have something to do with it - but I've been told that is far-fetched supposition. What about the violence on the street that teens see, too?

I used to hear young kids talk about things they had seen in movies and I wondered why would any parent let their child watch some of those movies??

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by ILG

When I worked as a domestic violence advocate I saw 'cutting' more than I'd ever seen it before. Mostly by younger girls who had been sexually abused. What I find odd about it all is that years ago, girls acted out with anorexia/bulimia or promiscuity or something like that. But now, it's wierd. Suddenly everyone is 'cutting'. I don't know. It almost seems like a fad. I am not trying to dismiss the seriousness of it, as I know it is a serious issue. It just makes me wonder about the 'choice' of acting out.

IMO, it's just talked about more. Promiscuity and eating disorders haven't gone anywhere. Anyone notice the extreme increase in younger kids with multiple, visible, tattoos? How about gauging your ears? Body piercings? All of this is, IMO, and IME, related.