Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid pain but some people regularly inflict pain upon themselves.
Self harm is a complex and disturbing phenomenon. For most of us it would seem incomprehensible to cut or burn ourselves, to break our own bones or cause other kinds of self harm but for many people it is a daily occurrence. Self injurers may develop habits of cutting, hitting, burning, scratching, skin-picking, banging their heads, breaking bones or not letting wounds heal.
While some people who self harm have been abused, violated or neglected in the past, not all those who injure themselves fit such criteria. Self harm may simply indicate that somewhere along the line, the self harmer didn’t learn correct ways of coping with overwhelming feelings. While we may be horrified at the thought of such behaviour, those who injure themselves are not disgusting or sick; they have just never learned positive ways to deal with their feelings.
Psychologist/Counsellor Genevieve Milnes M.App.Psych, MA (Couns), B.Ed, B.Div from the Belmont Counselling Clinic joined me again today during my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM for a discussion on self harm.
We had a number of listeners contact us during the segment and we spoke on air to a very brave young lady who explained her own continuing battle with self harming behaviours.
If you’d like to hear our discussion left click here or right click here if you want to save the mp3 and listen later.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
Technorati Tags: Self Harm – Self Mutilation – Radio
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As an (almost) certified Biblical Counselor, and also as a school teacher, this has become a topic that crosses my mind on a more frequent basis.
I am not going to try and spout my opinion here in your comments, but I did want to voice my absolute confidence in the sufficiency of God’s Word and His Grace.
To some, that doesn’t say much, but to others it means the world. Especially those who have been down that hard road and not found hope.
I think that I will have to listen to your broadcast. It sounds interesting, and I am sure that you were able to bring a lot to the table that would be worth hearing.