Читать книгу What Every Parent Needs to Know About Self-Injury - Tonja Krautter - Страница 18

A third common reason that people self-injure is to numb uncomfortable feelings. In this case, one of two things happens. Either emotional pain is turned into physical pain because it is easier to deal with, or the person masters numbing the physical pain which in turn helps them to achieve their ultimate goal of relieving their emotional pain. In either case, however, the same goal is achieved. The emotional pain is managed by finding a way to numb it or avoid it completely.

Joey exemplifies this point. He expresses his pain physically by burning. He comments, “I do not like the sight of blood or the way it feels to slice my skin. Cutting causes me too much pain, so I burn instead.” Joey does not self-injure to feel pain. He self-injures to numb pain. He states, “I can numb the burning sensation on my arms or legs whenever I put a lighter or cigarette to my skin. I like the power and control I feel when I make the pain go away.” For Joey, mastery over physical pain is followed by mastery over emotional pain.