Counseling Center

Self-Injurious Behavior

Self-injurious behavior is frequently misunderstood. People who cut, burn, bruise or scratch themselves repeatedly are often assumed to be suicidal. Most of the time, this is not the case.

Self-injury is usually an attempt to cope with overwhelming feelings and can result in temporary relief from emotional pain. Those who self-injure can feel soothed, less anxious, and more in control as a result of this behavior. Physical pain is a distraction from emotional pain, and the body releases endorphins in response to the injury, which also makes the person feel better. At the same time, most people who self-injure do not feel good about it and recognize that it is not a good way to deal with emotions.

People may also self-injure as way of nonverbally communicating their pain to others. Cuts and scars show others that the person is in pain, even if he or she cannot find words for it, or does not feel safe using words to describe it.

This behavior is not as rare as you might think. A recent study shows that 17% of college students have purposely inflicted injury on themselves. Half of those who self-injured started between the ages of 17 and 22.

Learning new, more adaptive ways of coping with emotional distress is crucial in the treatment of self-injurious behavior. Both individual and group therapy can be very helpful in this process.

Help at SIUC

Counseling Center, Student Health Center building, Room 253, 453-5371

Help in the Carbondale community

SIRSS, 604 E. College, 618-457-6703

Links to Additional Resources

Understanding Self-Injurious Behavior

The Pain of Self-Injury

HealthyPlace Self-Injury Community : includes information, a bulletin board with personal stories and recovery tips, and practical suggestions for stopping self-injury

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