Question:
I've been cutting for five years now, and there's
something I'd like to know about it:
1. How many people REALLY self mutilate? Because it
seems like everyone does in one way or another.
2. I was told by a psychotherapist that cutting myself
would be a fine and effective way of self medicating
for a decade, but then I'll have a nervous breakdown
and go insane forever. Is that true?
3. How much would you have to cut yourself to cause a
really bad infection? I mean, I've never gotten one
and I cut a lot. But, I've heard that you get
infections from it all the time.
Dr. Heller's Answer:
1) True cutting is an uncommon event, likely less than
5% of borderlines. It is extremely uncommon in the
general population. Cutting alters the neurological
sensations one experiences during dysphoria (anxiety,
rage, depression and despair), but scares off many
potential friends and mates and harms the self-esteem
of the cutter. The use of as-needed medications for
dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair) is
much safer and more effective. With severe itching
from an insect bite people will scratch in a linear
manner to make themselves feel better. The major
difference is that it’s due to a skin problem, not a
brain problem.
2) Totally and completely ridiculous. Cutting is an
effective way of self-medication - but at an enormous
cost to the self-confidence and self-esteem of the
cutter. The goal is a happy and successful life, and
cutting interferes with that goal, but it in no way
causes permanent insanity.
3) You can get a bad infection any time you cut - it
depends on what germs are present. So far you’ve been
lucky, but I’ve seen some horrendous infections.
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