Читать книгу What Every Parent Needs to Know About Self-Injury - Tonja Krautter - Страница 17

A second common reason why individuals self-injure is for punishment. Self-injurers seek to punish themselves, either for what they perceive as their own failings (internal reasons), or because of external events. Internal reasons for punishment include things like failing a test, missing the winning goal or saying something that you later regret. As a result, the person feels angry, frustrated and disappointed in themselves. For example, Brian states, “When I mess up in a game or on a test, I look for a way to punish myself. Self-injury provides me with that way.”

External reasons for punishment might include a friend being rude, a fight with parents, a flight being cancelled, a car breaking down, or the weather ruining plans. As a result, the person feels angry, frustrated, and disappointed with something or someone in the outside world. Elaine explains, “A client changes his mind about a deal due to financial constraints, or it rains during my only vacation of the year, and I cannot help but turn to my trusted friend, my piece of glass. Using it during those times is a way to purge myself of all my anger and disappointment.” Or, according to Sara, “When a friend at school gives me a dirty look, or talks about me behind my back, or when I get into a fight with my parents, the anger and sadness I feel is so big that I cut to deal with it.”