From "Help for Cutters," by Mitchell Rosen, M.A.,
The Thermometer Times, DBSA-Riverside, March 2006.

   Some people call them "cutters,"  the students who use knives or razor blades to cut parts of their bodies.  One of the questions I will surely be asked, "Is this behavior normal?"

   Even though the sheer number of students who are cutting is skyrocketing, the answer is "No, this is not a normal or typical adolescent behavior."

   Young people who self-injure are not going through a phase. The reasons they do it vary.  For some, it is a means to communicate.  They are telling others by these behaviors that their emotional pain is so intense, so unmanageable, they want others to know the amount of discomfort they are experiencing.  These students lack confidence in their ability to communicate and do not feel they will be understood.

   Another reason cited by self-injurers is, "It relieves my pain."  Students who cut themselves will say, "When I cut I feel more in control.  It's the only way I can relieve the tension that builds inside of me."  It is their way of controlling the uncontrollable.

   Some come from broken homes, some do not.  Some have experienced sexual, emotional, or physical abuse, and others have fairly benign childhoods.

   Many parents react to the news their child is cutting themselves with horror or disgust.  They'll say things like, "Get away from me!"  or "Stop this right now!"  Neither of these reactions is helpful, although they are understandable.

   Parents who have a child who chooses to self-injure should put their own anger aside and try to understand what could motivate a child to act so angrily toward him or herself.

   These adolescents need professional help to assist them in sorting through what may seem like insurmountable problems.  Typically these young people believe they are victims of external problems and have no choice but to act out physically.

   No therapist, no doctor is going to "fix" these young people, but rather the professional will join forces with them to build up their confidence in communicating in less destructive ways and help them understand they do not need to be punished or pay penance.

   The process is individual, but this condition is certainly treatable.  Most cutters do not need to be hospitalized, and only a few of them are suicidal (many cutters will say they self-injure so they won't kill themselves).
 
  But it is not a transient or insignificant behavior.  I will encour

age all educators to resist the temptation to build an alliance by keeping a student's self-injury a secret and to understand it must be told to parents so the parents can get their child the help they need.

By Julia Nelson, President DBSACS Board of Directors

    So far, your DBSA Colorado Springs Board of Directors is doing a fine job of meeting the challenges of the growth of our chapter.  They already have in place several new programs set for the next year.  However, the Board would like to continue being at the forefront in meeting the needs of people with mood disorders and their families.  In order to accomplish the task ahead, we welcome new members to serve on the Board, bringing with them a new impetus and energy.  The Board encourages anyone who has a passion to serve, to step forward in bringing with them fresh ideas and perspectives in moving our chapter forward.

    No prior Board experience is needed.  Those who are interested need to be able to attend regular monthly or bimonthly Board meetings, volunteer time to work on a committee, and be a member of DBSA Colorado Springs.  Please submit a letter of interest addressed to the Nomination Committee by November 1st and either drop it off at the Resource Center or mail it to:

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