Self Harming

Open Circle Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy 4/02/2011

I was listening to the radio today and came across a topic on self harming. Self harming is an issue that is kept fairly secretive in Irish society. Mainly because self harmers do what they do in private and cover it up later but also our culture might have something to do with its secrecy. Simply put Irish people are traditionally inhibited.

I have come across self harming in the form of cutting ones arms usually above the elbow. Also burning oneself is a method commonly used.
In men I have come across self harming in the form of pulling out hair, pinching and fighting.

The purpose of self harming seems to be to release tension that is emotional in nature. Rather than deal with the pain of the problem, self harm causes one to focus on the physical wound that is perhaps a metaphor for the psychological pain experienced.

Socially acceptable forms of self harming often include smoking, ear piercing, excessive exercise or excessive eating, and the usual Irish foe, excessive drinking.

The link provided is to do with self harming but I would like you to look at the section regarding History as it gives a concise view self harm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-harm

Often underlying the motive for self harming is emotional pain but many self harmers do not know the source of this emotion (some do of course), it is often subconscious motives and reasoning that cause such emotional stress.

This is when hypnotherapy is useful when coupled with psychotherapy (and other methods).

While in trace otherwise called hypnosis the client can visit these painful expressions, not always linked to a memory but quiet often linked to emotional pain.

Subconscious explanations are often difficult to fathom or intellectualise, nonetheless in hypnosis deep emotional release can lead to a cathartic experience subsequently reducing the emotional pain.

Of course the above explanation is short and sweet but if you think about how you feel after a good cry, the release, even how it alters our perception of a situation, this is what the psychic release in trance is like but perhaps more amplified leading to greater relief afterwards.

Note: Open Circle Hypnotherpay deals with Mind/Body Connection but also with Spiritual connection.

Article written by:

Mr Jason McCarthy

Open Circle Hypnotherapy

Waterford City Centre

Ireland

www.opencircle.ie

info@opencircle.ie