Cutting is the typical source of injury of those who engage in self mutilation, but "cutters" have been known to scratch themselves, yank out their hair, burn themselves with cigarettes. This behavior is revisited in times of stress and emotional or physical trauma. Although self mutilation may not start until one's teenage years, the predisposition to engage in this behavior occurs earlier on. How and why, you ask. Well, self mutilation later in life is an indication that you didn't learn appropriate coping methods in childhood.

Cutting is typically seen in women from the ages of 13 to 30, but anyone, of any sex and background, can exhibit this behavior. Sexual abuse, molestation or incest is frequently a factor in a cutter's past. These types of abuse are often kept secret, if not from the family, then certainly from friends and acquaintances. Because the shame, the fear and the pain is kept bottled up, the victim will frequently turn to a method of self harm in order to achieve some semblance of release. Cutters have said that injuring themselves evokes a sense of calm. Watching the blood flow, they can easily imagine that it is the pain, self loathing and filth of what was done to them oozing out.

For some people, the world is a very hostile place, where they feel they have little control over what happens to them. Imagine how helpless a rape victim feels when he or she is under their attacker. This feeling lasts well after the actual assault; sometimes it never goes away. Cutting and other forms of self mutilation may be used to reclaim a sense of control, at least over one's own body. In times of stress, cutting will be used to quiet the mind and purge the inner anguish by replacing it with an external one. Often times, self mutilation is used as a way of punishing one's self. A victim of abuse may blame themself for what happened. They may go through life harboring a chronic sense of shame and guilt. In cutting or otherwise injuring themself, they lessen these feelings, but it is only a temporary fix. Soon they have to scratch or pluck or cut again.

Needles, scissors, razor blades; knives, matches, cigarettes; these are some of the things used to inflict self harm. The cutter I know used her own fingers. In times of stress, her hands would invariably gravitate to her feet, where she would slowly rip off her own toenails, tearing the quick. There was always a good deal of blood, and she often followed up by dousing her injuries with alcohol, which, no doubt, stung like hell. Sometimes, I think that was the best part for her.  Days following these attacks on her own body, she would still have severe pain while walking, but then, she was pro at covering things up. It is a miracle that she didn't pick up any bacterial infections in her feet. Left untreated, an infection anywhere on the body can lead to death. 

My friend is in therapy now. I think she's also on medication (I didn't think it polite to ask). More and more, she's opening up. Little by little, she's learning to trust. Day by day, her coping skills are improving. Luckily, these skills can be acquired at any stage of life. Here are some of the signs that a friend or other loved one is in need of help:

Wearing full cover clothing (ie. long sleeves) in warm weather. This can be a sign of self mutilation or drug use. Long sleeves are often used to hide track marks.

Frequent unexplained or improbable injuries. This can be self inflicted or domestic abuse. Either way, action should be taken.

Bite marks. There really is no acceptable reason that a person would have human bite marks on them. I don't care how kinky they are.

Circular burns (cigarette burns)

Multiple narrow cuts, as from a razor blade

Blood on socks may be an indication of foot mutilation. Watch for reoccurrence.

Secrecy and/or isolation of one's self.

Bald spots that appear over a short time span may be an indication that the person is pulling their hair out.

Each person is unique, so their symptoms may or may not be listed here. Use their normal behavior as a base point. Any drastic change should be seen as a red flag. I will follow up with a hub about treatment methods. I hope you've found this article informative and that it leads to more people getting help.