[lostwonder]

Cross posted in the self injury forum. Asking here also because this forum gets much more traffic. I am wondering if anyone has any links that may explain what my PDoc said. He said that the location of cuts means different things, but didn't tell me what. I could ask him, but then we would get into a frustrating discussion about why I want to know. I would really rather skip all that.

Try searching self injury location significance. I found a few NIH articles that went somewhat into the symbolism. I'm not particularly comfortable posting the link as the descriptions are disturbing. It was easy enough to search though.

[lostwonder]

Originally Posted by 1914sierra

Try searching self injury location significance. I found a few NIH articles that went somewhat into the symbolism. I'm not particularly comfortable posting the link as the descriptions are disturbing. It was easy enough to search though.

Thank you, I tried searching using different terms and was coming up empty handed.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I have never really heard about that. I know that different types of suicidal thoughts mean different things.

The only thing I can think of, and it's purely a guess, is that if you injure "private" area that might mean past abuse...something along that line?

I know I injured my "chest" in the past to try to turn men off...didn't work. I've also hurt other areas because of guilt. Maybe it's something like that?

[lostwonder]

And I am apparently still coming up empty handed. :/ I would welcome a pm on the topic, because the search is frustrating.

[lostwonder]

Originally Posted by ScarletPimpernel

I have never really heard about that. I know that different types of suicidal thoughts mean different things.

The only thing I can think of, and it's purely a guess, is that if you injure "private" area that might mean past abuse...something along that line?

I know I injured my "chest" in the past to try to turn men off...didn't work. I've also hurt other areas because of guilt. Maybe it's something like that?

I'm not sure...

[Wren_]

I remembering hearing something like that once ... but at the same time people can have so many different reasons for injuring the same part of their body that while there might be various theories I'm not sure how valid they are

I don't think there is much meaning to any theories about where you self injure. Everyone is so different and does it for such different reasons and in different places. I'd be very skeptical of anyone who makes such a claim.

[someone321]

Regarding the location, I could only think of cutting in visible vs. non-visible places or in places which bleed a lot or which hurt a lot... But I don't think that I'd make a conclusion regarding the reason of cutting based on the location (e.g. arm vs. leg)

[anilam]

Also could be the way cuts are oriented on hands- horizontal vs vertical cuts?

[monkeybrains21]

I find mine are rather whether thy are seen or not. Most of mine were not visible to others while wearing summer clothes. They were not a cry for help or attempts. They were my way of purging myself from the constant t anger and frustration I feel.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Originally Posted by anilam

Also could be the way cuts are oriented on hands- horizontal vs vertical cuts?

That doesn't necessarily mean anything either. I've SI'ed pretty much every direction on my arm.

I don't really think location means anything. Intent means everything.

Maybe he was trying to describe that there's 3 categories of SI, and one has 3 subcategories?

I have done a ton of personal research on SI, and I have NEVER heard of any research proven based upon location.

[Wysteria]

[QUOTE=[B]ScarletPimpernel[/B];3778639]That doesn't necessarily mean anything either. I've SI'ed pretty much every direction on my arm.

I don't really think location means anything. Intent means everything.

I think this was an excellent answer and also how I feel....I SI a special way that even has numerical, location and intent different from anyone else. It is mine, it is personal, and there should be no assumptions made about it by anyone else...it's for me not anyone else.

When it is too often or too intense...then I bring it up for discussion with pdoc or T... Or when I'm filling out my psych daily inventory it may show up to me or them...

Hope you find the answers...

WB