Hey, I feel like sharing tonight so here it goes. When i was a teenager i suffered from self destructive behavior, actually it went until about two yrs ago, but whatever. Anyway, I have scars from cuts and stitches on my arms, legs, whatever. So i can be a little empathetic with your girlfriend. My behavior was because i was suffering from BPD (borderline personality disorder). Basically the cutting is a way to deal with the pain that we cannot deal with in other ways. It's like we werent given the coping mechanisms that the "normal population" has been granted. This is just my story i am not saying shes bpd, but it does affect 10% of the pop, mostly being young adult females. Some research has shown that it is a result of abandonment as a child, or abuse; some researchers argue that it is a genetic defect. Usually with someone that is bpd, the cutting, or other self destructive behaviors (ie drinking, driving reckless, shoplifting....) are in full swing after a breakup. They say the breakup brings back all the "bad feelings" that caused the illness in the first place. Hey, Im not a Dr., but i know what it is like to hurt so much that all you can do is take a razor and cut, the blood is cathartic, it feels normal. So yeah, get her some counseling and let her know that she is loved in some way or another. And oh yeah self mutilation can be the exact opposite of suicide; its a way to cope so that suicide is not the option. Again, i am NOT a dr. and my opinion means nothing to the medical community im sure, but do anything you can to get her help.
ps i believe myself to be cured...thanks be to God.
