FROM THE 'AT LARGE BLOG'
June 9, 2006
Cutting-Edge Addiction
posted by Arthel Neville at 3:53 pm ET
Imagine having a "light bulb" moment where you go into your kitchen, grab a butcher knife and slice your arm.
Hard to grasp, right? Well, that's what Vicki Duffy did one day when she was 23 years old. But, her self-injury began
years earlier when she was only eight. At that age, Vicki started injuring herself by "bashing a brick on her forehead."
Vikki was raped by an acquaintance of her mother when she was just 5 years old. After that, other sexual assault
incidences followed.
Today, Vicki Duffy is 37 and she’s healthy, happy and healed. She's a wife and mother. I interviewed Vikki for my story
on self-cutters. Her story is both fascinating and confusing. As I sat across from this seemingly well-adjusted woman, I
listened to her personal accounts of self mutilation. I also got a close look at the multiple scars on her arms and legs
(from her cutting and burning), and I couldn't ever imagine Vicki as someone who used to purposely hurt herself.
Now, through her book, No More Pain! Breaking the Silence of Self-Injury, and her support group, Vicki uses her
past experiences to help others who currently injure themselves.
This kind of disturbing behavior might seem off, but experts say it's much more common than most of know. A study,
appearing in the June issue of Pediatrics, says an alarming one in every five students at two Ivy League schools hurt
themselves on purpose.
Why, you ask. Well, understandably the answer is complex. One self-cutter I interviewed said feeling the pain reminds
her that she's alive because mentally, she shuts down. She's 18-years-old and her mother died just six months ago.
Psychologists say some of the self-injury is done in order for the kids to feel better. They say cutting releases
endorphins and evokes a "high."
Do you know a self-cutter? If you do and they call on you for help, always answer — even if it's two o’clock in the
morning. If you're not sure if you know a self-cutter, pay attention. If a friend is always wearing long sleeves or hiding
their legs, don't ignore it (especially now that the summer weather calls for cooler clothes).
Mostly, I say don't judge anyone. Offer your sincere help and support. You never know when you might pull someone
out of a hellish, downward spiral.
Tune in Friday for my story!
June 9, 2006
Cutting-Edge Addiction
posted by Arthel Neville at 3:53 pm ET
Imagine having a "light bulb" moment where you go into your kitchen, grab a butcher knife and slice your arm.
Hard to grasp, right? Well, that's what Vicki Duffy did one day when she was 23 years old. But, her self-injury began
years earlier when she was only eight. At that age, Vicki started injuring herself by "bashing a brick on her forehead."
Vikki was raped by an acquaintance of her mother when she was just 5 years old. After that, other sexual assault
incidences followed.
Today, Vicki Duffy is 37 and she’s healthy, happy and healed. She's a wife and mother. I interviewed Vikki for my story
on self-cutters. Her story is both fascinating and confusing. As I sat across from this seemingly well-adjusted woman, I
listened to her personal accounts of self mutilation. I also got a close look at the multiple scars on her arms and legs
(from her cutting and burning), and I couldn't ever imagine Vicki as someone who used to purposely hurt herself.
Now, through her book, No More Pain! Breaking the Silence of Self-Injury, and her support group, Vicki uses her
past experiences to help others who currently injure themselves.
This kind of disturbing behavior might seem off, but experts say it's much more common than most of know. A study,
appearing in the June issue of Pediatrics, says an alarming one in every five students at two Ivy League schools hurt
themselves on purpose.
Why, you ask. Well, understandably the answer is complex. One self-cutter I interviewed said feeling the pain reminds
her that she's alive because mentally, she shuts down. She's 18-years-old and her mother died just six months ago.
Psychologists say some of the self-injury is done in order for the kids to feel better. They say cutting releases
endorphins and evokes a "high."
Do you know a self-cutter? If you do and they call on you for help, always answer — even if it's two o’clock in the
morning. If you're not sure if you know a self-cutter, pay attention. If a friend is always wearing long sleeves or hiding
their legs, don't ignore it (especially now that the summer weather calls for cooler clothes).
Mostly, I say don't judge anyone. Offer your sincere help and support. You never know when you might pull someone
out of a hellish, downward spiral.
Tune in Friday for my story!
