[Lewis]

From the way you worded your question, I think you may have sought help for self-mutilation (either for yourself or for someone else) and did not get the appropriate help. I urge you to be persistent and keep trying until you get the help you need. The attitude you need is that of the obnoxious preschooler who keeps asking ‘Why?’ You need to keep asking ‘Who can help me if you can’t?’ Many people, even in those in the medical professions, do not understand self-mutilation. They don’t understand it because they don’t have much experience, education and/or knowledge about it. Only relatively recently did self-mutilation start getting much press, either in professional journals or in general-interest publications. It wasn’t all that long ago that anorexia and bulimia were relatively unknown to most people. However, more and more people are becoming aware of self-mutilation with every passing day. Just a few months ago, my 13-year-old niece sent me some e-mailed junk that mentioned self-mutilation. I told her that anyone involved in this practice needs help and support and that, if she knew someone who was into self-mutilation, she should talk to that person’s parents, teachers, clergy, etc., to get that person the help they need. I also told her to try and try again if her first attempts to help did not appear successful — even to the point of calling in the local social services department, if needed. As you are 18 (and, I assume, many of your friends are), you may not have some of the options my niece has available to her. Still, if you or someone you know is into self-mutiliation, keep trying to get help. There are treatments available, and there are professionals who understand the problem. If your own physician cannot help, try calling the counselors at your local college or school system. Look in the phone book for ‘help lines’ and call them — it doesn’t matter what ‘help line’ you call; if they’re worth the name ‘help line’, they will try to help, once you explain the problem. Call your local hospital and ask if there is someone there who can help. Keep trying until you find the understanding professionals you need to help you with this issue. Hang in there. Help is available, but it may take some work to find it.

User Detail :  

Name : Lewis, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 45, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : Health care office work, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Author]

Posts