CAUTION: DISTURBING INFORMATION - Bleeding away the pain: a look into self-injury

I don't know if any of you follow the TV show "Medium" on NBC. I'm not a particular fan, but I caught a glimpse of the beginning of last night's show. I'd like to discuss a little bit of what I saw. For those of you who follow the show, it might make more sense. In the first five minutes (which is all I saw), the topic of compulsions was discussed briefly. In the clip, a young girl is shown cutting herself. A small cut first and then excessive cutting later in the clip.

I'd like to discuss this for a bit. I try not to be too serious, but this needs attention. During my late high school and early college years, I too had compulsions to self-injure. It's often misconstrued as a way to get attention which is sometimes the case. However, for me and many others it is an entirely different story. I learned that cutting was easier than talking someone. It was like watching all of my problems bleed away so I didn't have to worry about them anymore. It gave me a sense of control that was missing in other aspects of my life. It was a way for me to deal and a very unhealthy way at that.

This is a serious addiction and should not be taken lightly EVER. From a medical standpoint, having an addiction to self-injuring makes sense. When the body experiences pain, the brain is triggered to send endorphins immediately to dull the pain. Endorphins create a natural high and one can become addicted to getting those endorphins.

Please, if you or someone you know is a self-injurer, get help. You may not think you need it and you probably don't want it, but it's the best thing you can do. There is a way out and better, healthier ways to deal with your life.