Is Biting Nails And Typing Dry Wounds Including Self-Harm? Get To Know The Facts

YOGYAKARTA Emotional challenges that are difficult to express are sometimes faced by someone. People who experience it do certain behaviors, such as grabbing hair, biting nails, to attaching dry wounds to the skin. Launching the explanation of clinical psychologist Marla Deibler, Psy.D., ABPP., there are two behaviors that a person does to express difficult emotions, namely by self-harming and body-focused reboundive behavior (BFRB).

The two behaviors above seem elusive but it is very important to get the right support. Injuring yourself or self-harm refers to a tikdakan that intentionally causes physical injury. Such as cutting, burning, or hitting yourself. However, the purpose of injuring yourself is to use physical sensations to overcome emotional suffering because they feel emotionally dead.

Self-harm behavior usually develops as a way to deal with feelings of stress, frustration, or even criticize yourself when the skills of overcoming emotions are inadequate. It is important to note that even though self-harming is not an attempt to commit suicide, it is a sign of deep emotional pain and requires attention and care," Psychology Today reported.

Self-harm behavior is often a response to intense sadness, anger, or anxiety. For some people, this provides temporary relief. While there are also those who think self-harm is a form of punishment for guilt. Meanwhile, the behavior of BFRB, such as biting nails, pulling or removing hair, skin, or nails, causing damage to the body. This behavior may seem similar to self-harms, but the difference is that BFRB is not for the purpose of causing pain. BFRB tends to function as a means of self-regulation when an uncomfortable internal state appears. Internal circumstances include thoughts, feelings, body sensations.

BFRB includes tritotilamania (revocation of hair), exorientation disorders (revocation of the skin), bite the nails, bite the lips and cheeks. This behavior ultimately also causes damage and injury. Several cases of BFRB are done to get satisfied or calming. But often it causes frustration, shame, or withdrawal from social life due to its effects. For example, due to hair loss, baldness, and damaged skin.

Psychologist Deibler explains the difference between self-harm and BFRB, the following:

If you experience self-harm behavior or BFRB, it is important to get professional assistance from mental health specialists to develop healthy behavior, encourage healing, and improve quality of life.