Cutters, Self-Mutilators and Other Disconnectors
The New York Times recently ran an article on the rise of teen and young adults that cut themselves as a form of self-abuse. I heard of this a few years back from a client whose daughter was doing it to herself and I was so disturbed by that story, that it took my awhile to compose myself and continue our workout. Why anyone would do such a thing to their body was beyond comprehension? What could bring them to such a state of rage and anger that would compel them to inflict such harm on their bodies?
While I was going through my hypnosis training, I had a lightbulb moment that made me think about this issue a little further. People who harm themselves are responding to their body's urgent need to feel. Some time during their childhood and early adolescent years, the messages they were getting didn't include that it was okay to feel, intuit, dream, or imagine. As a child, this comes naturally. As we get older, outside forces suppress this. As I've mentioned before, the body rules and there's no way to escape.
People who do this become addicted to the process because the physical pain gives them time to focus on taking care of themselves. They are present and connected with their bodies if only for the time it takes to bandage and clean up.
It's the opposite from an eating disorder, alcoholic, or drug abuser. However, they are two sides of the same coin. This group feels a lot of emotion, but haven't learn how to channel it and get overwhelmed, so they turn to their vice of choice because the body is craving! They have no problem feeling, they just don't know what to do when it happens. The escape is short-lived with long term consequences, but it never seems to matter when you're in that situation. Our bodies clearly crave nurturing, respect and loving kindness, but our mind skews the translation for those needs and immediate gratificaiton. The connection to our bodies is a connection to our souls. It helps us to be kind to ourselves and, in turn, kind to others.
To allow yourself to be quiet and still with your body and thoughts for a few minutes a day is the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. Here's an excellent jump start: Find a qualified Pilates instructor that focuses on the breath and deliberate, focused movement, and a qualified hypnotherapist that can help you help yourself.
While I was going through my hypnosis training, I had a lightbulb moment that made me think about this issue a little further. People who harm themselves are responding to their body's urgent need to feel. Some time during their childhood and early adolescent years, the messages they were getting didn't include that it was okay to feel, intuit, dream, or imagine. As a child, this comes naturally. As we get older, outside forces suppress this. As I've mentioned before, the body rules and there's no way to escape.
People who do this become addicted to the process because the physical pain gives them time to focus on taking care of themselves. They are present and connected with their bodies if only for the time it takes to bandage and clean up.
It's the opposite from an eating disorder, alcoholic, or drug abuser. However, they are two sides of the same coin. This group feels a lot of emotion, but haven't learn how to channel it and get overwhelmed, so they turn to their vice of choice because the body is craving! They have no problem feeling, they just don't know what to do when it happens. The escape is short-lived with long term consequences, but it never seems to matter when you're in that situation. Our bodies clearly crave nurturing, respect and loving kindness, but our mind skews the translation for those needs and immediate gratificaiton. The connection to our bodies is a connection to our souls. It helps us to be kind to ourselves and, in turn, kind to others.
To allow yourself to be quiet and still with your body and thoughts for a few minutes a day is the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. Here's an excellent jump start: Find a qualified Pilates instructor that focuses on the breath and deliberate, focused movement, and a qualified hypnotherapist that can help you help yourself.
Posted by Liz at 5/7/2008 
Categories: depression,Anxiety,pain-body,self-mutilation,Weight loss,Eating Disorders,Alcoholism,Hypnosis
Categories: depression,Anxiety,pain-body,self-mutilation,Weight loss,Eating Disorders,Alcoholism,Hypnosis
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