Information about self-abuse

What is self-abuse?
When people act in such a way as to cause injury to themselves, those actions are called self-abuse.
These actions also can be labelled self-injury, self-inflicted injury, self-harm, self-destructive behaviour, and self-defeating behaviour.
People who are self-abusive may injure themselves directly, or indirectly by “setting someone up” to do the injuring. Self-abuse varies greatly in frequency and severity from person to person.
Self-abuse can have serious physical, psychological, and social consequences. The major features of self-abuse are:
•physical injuries that are self-inflicted;
•repeated in response to difficult life experiences or feelings; and
•often inflicted without apparent pain at the time of the injury
Other self-harm behaviours that are commonly found alongside the direct physical injuries:
•drug abuse and overdose (street, prescription, OTC);
•alcohol abuse;
•eating disorders;
•obesity; and
•risk-taking behaviours
And associated “social” self-abuse includes:
•inappropriate sexual behaviours risking pregnancy and disease;
•gambling;
•shoplifting; and
•“fraud”
The earliest signs of self-abuse may appear in childhood, but the bigger picture usually is recognized in adolescence.
The problem may become chronic and intractable—injuries may become increasingly serious and even potentially life-threatening.
There will be a community presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau (located in the old CN station). This is open to the public and there is no admission charge.
The presenter is B.J. Thom of S.A.F.E. in Canada.
For more information about CMHA programs and services, call 274-2347.