SELF-INJURY: CUTTING THROUGH THE TENSION

Course overview

The North American Nursing Diagnosis Association defines self-mutilation as the ¿deliberate self-injurious behavior causing tissue damage with the intent of causing nonfatal injury to attain relief of tension.¿ Self-injurious behavior can have serious consequences for the individual and elicit feelings of helplessness from caregivers. Even many psychiatric practitioners refuse to treat these high-risk patients because of the suspected poor and chronic prognosis. Numerous stereotypes and misconceptions surround this behavior, resulting in inadequate treatment by professionals and social stigmatization. All healthcare professionals who interact with such patients must understand their own beliefs about self-injury and whether these beliefs help or hinder their ability to provide care.