Bipolar Disorder Self Injury
In bipolar disorder, there is sometimes
concern about bipolar disorder self injury. This can take many
shapes, but is always serious.
One form of bipolar disorder self injury that is coming most
recently into the public consciousness is self mutilation, or
"cutting". This practice is found in people with other
diagnoses, too. Bipolar people are just some of those who self
injure.
Cutting, burning or other self harming behaviors are often
seen in adolescent girls and others, even in men. Much of this
is a part of bipolar disorder self injury.
Although people who self mutilate are often depressed or
beyond that, suicidal, these acts are not intended as suicide
attempts. They are often desperate acts of those who feel out
of control, worthless, or angry. It is no wonder, given the
similar symptoms, that this is often a case of bipolar disorder
self injury.
Suicide, of course, is the most extreme form of bipolar
disorder self injury. Before suicide, there may be suicidal
ideations, plans for suicide, and possibly many attempts before
suicide is committed, if it ever is. In any case, all threats
of bipolar disorder self injury should be taken seriously.
Suicidal thoughts may cloud the thinking of a depressed
person to the extent that he or she can think of nothing else.
It may seem that the world would be better off without them, or
that they can show others that they should have been treated
better. At this stage there is concern of bipolar disorder self
injury, but the ideas are just at a simmer.
When a person begins to make plans, the danger of bipolar
disorder self injury becomes more imminent. A person may make
elaborate plans for years. Another person may only think of a
plausible way to go about it. The trouble is that either of
these people may at any time actually commit suicide. It is
never easy to predict the likelihood of bipolar disorder self
injury.
Many times a person's suicidal tendencies will not be noted
unless an attempt is made. While some attempts seem more
serious than others, a wise person will treat all attempts
seriously. More serious attempts could be those where a note
was found, or the outcome was more certain in comparison to
other sorts of attempts. Bipolar disorder self injury is always
possible in these situations.
My Out Of Control Child
Whatever the method of attempt at bipolar disorder self
injury, there is seriousness attached to it. After all, people
who have attempted suicide in the past are 40 times more likely
to commit suicide than those who never have attempted it
before.
If a person begins to make final arrangements, or to set his
or her affairs in order for no particular reason, suicide may
be on his or her mind. It could be as simple as giving away
possessions, or as complex as making financial arrangements. If
this is suddenly seen in a bipolar individual, it should be
determined whether or not that person is in danger of bipolar
disorder self injury.
Many thoughts, plans, or attempts actually do end in
suicide. 11 percent of deaths in the US are as a result of
suicide. More women than men attempt suicide, but 80 percent of
the deaths by suicide are by males. More and more adolescents
are committing suicide every year. Bipolar disorder self
injury, then, is a distinct and growing problem.
It is difficult enough dealing with the affective, social,
legal, and physical consequences of the disease. Self harm and
suicide make attention to bipolar disorder self injury most
necessary.
|