Bipolar disorder is a mental condition which affects the normal functioning of the brain. Patients with bipolar disorder will sometimes do acts of self-injury that can be fatal due to depression which causes the patient to react strongly to even the most minor stimulation.
Self-injury is the act of purposely or compulsively damaging one’s self. Feeling of sadness and guilt sometimes prompt the patient to self-punish. This self-punishment usually comes in the form of self-injury or even suicide. Depending on the degree of disappointment, the harmful acts performed by patients vary. Acts of self-injury include cutting the skin, scratching, burning and hitting.
Why self-injury
Some patients want to get over the mental pain of guilt or depression by changing it to physical pain.
Some patients do this for pleasure.
Some patients do this is to get attention from others or take attention away from their illness by providing a diversion. They may self-injure to get attention and care from others for something other than mental illness.
Some patients have excess energy and try to release this excess by hurting themselves.
Some patients want to experience the same pain that was suffered earlier.
Treatment
Self-injury is best treated with behavioral therapy coupled with medication for bipolar disorder. The patient’s psychiatrist and behavioral therapist must work together to understand and manage the destructive behavior. In some cases it can be treated without hospitalization.
Caring for Bipolar Depression Self-injury Patients
The family and friends of self-injury patients must pay more attention to their dealings with the sufferer. Here are some points to remember while dealing with your friend or family member who is a bipolar disorder patient with a tendency to self-harm :
Do not take it personally - when doing any self-harm, the patient usually does not think of the people who will be affected by the act. They are doing these acts not to make us feel bad.
Educate yourself - try to gather as much information as possible about the disorder and its effects. Try to read biographies about people who are self-injurers because it will help you understand the feelings of the patient and why they may be self-injuring.
