When the blade cuts too deep: The psychology behind self-inflicted harm
“But it helps release the pain / That I go through every day / The blade is sharp and cold / As it runs across my skin / Leaving me to ponder / And decide how deep I cut in.” These are the words from a poem written by Cassandra Johnson, who was addicted to a self-inflicted behavior known as cutting. Cutting, burning and scratching are painful methods of self-harm known as non-suicidal self-injury. Because suicides receive more media attention, less information and statistics are available on self-harm with no intent to commit suicide.
