Inside a Cutter's Mind: Understanding and Helping Those Who Self-Injure

by Jerusha Clark, Earl Henslin (Contributor)

Cutting is a practice that has crossed age and gender lines. It’s not just depressed teens who inflict injury on themselves—it can be anyone dealing with overwhelming feelings. This book explores the complex issue of cutting without offering any pat or simple fixes. It examines the psychology of, the feelings of anger and despair behind it, and the counseling resources that can help.This book is a great tool to help those who engage in cutting, pastors who want to learn more, or those who need to understand someone who practices self-injury.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Counselling, Psychology, Christian, Parenting

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2005

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the basic idea of the book is a positive one, approaching the subject of helping self-injurers through a process of understanding rather than just saying it is 'wrong', the book offers a horribly biased methodology for the process.

The authors seem to feel that a religious solution is the answer to the problem, which is the furthest from the truth. Individuals need to feel a sense of self-worth, in their own accomplishments and their own life. Believing that there is a deity to solve the problems for you, but who doesn't, would do little bit intensify the problem.

This is the same problem that Alcoholics Anonymous suffers from. The answer isn't to trust that a god will solve your problems for you, as no problem was ever solved that way. The problem is to do something about it through your own motives. If you can do that, you can feel a much better person than the religious who see any good thing in their life as not having come from them.

Including prayers, hymns, and religiously biased material in this book is not going to help anyone solve their problems. This bias is prevalent in every section of the book, and is much more a religious piece of propaganda than it is a help book for anyone with a real problem.

I don't think the authors of most of these books properly appreciate the subject. They aren't people that struggled with cutting in their own life, they are doctors who are looking at it like many out psychological problems. It isn't that, it's not a disorder at all, and it cannot be approached like one.

A much better book for approaching this subject would be "Comes the Darkness, Comes the Light". This book is an actual memoir from a cutter with more experience in the field than any religious nut psychiatrist could possibly have, and approaches the subject from a deep and real position.

[Emily Schaal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides lots of good information and background. Clark writes from an integrationist perspective though, not a biblical counseling perspective. I don’t agree with her on process, but I did find the book helpful.

[Jennifer Boulware · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be extremely close to home and accurate. As an individual who struggled with self-harm through my late teens and early 20’s, I have a little more clarity on my experience with self-harm.

I am a 41 year old, aspiring clinical mental health counselor, and currently working with individuals in the community on mental health skill building. I find comfort in learning different approaches on how to break the ice and support others who are struggling with self-harm and this book helps.

This book, in my opinion, would be a good place to start for individuals who are suffering with self-harm currently or have in the past and don’t fully grasp their reasoning. This is great for families and friends of those who self-harm. This has spiritual references for those who believe in God as well.

[Abigail Ero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

As a cutter myself now dealing with my children, I an so grateful you put together this resource. I have never read a book about cutting that just seems to "get it" the way that Jerusha's book did. She covered all the basis, all the reasons I have ever cut and the reason that I found the strength to stop-- Jesus Christ. God bless you and keep you and yours. If you are dealing with this situation, know you are loved and prayed for.

[Amy Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great resource for anyone in any type of relationship with someone who self-harms. Great for a counselor to better understand SH, great for parents or friends or church leaders—provides an empathic overview of the motivations behind and reasons for self harm, and gives practical suggestions for ways a community can come alongside someone with SH to support their healing.

[Mindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book on helping cutters. My copy was older, 2007, so it was outdated. The DSM IV did not include cutting as a diagnosis. The DSM V includes it as NSSID, Non Suicidal Self Injury Disorder.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a couple of helpful things in this book but the overall religious theme just was not for me.

[Katie Frangos · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF'd

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside a Cutter's Mind: Understanding and Helping Those Who Self-Injure by Jerusha Clark, Earl R Henslin presents a balanced perspective on self-injury. Clark writes: "I want you to know from the outset: Self-inflicted violence is all at once a psychological, physical, and spiritual battle. Consequently, this book will examine all three aspects. But we will do so with balance and patience, recognizing that discussing biochemistry, psychoemotional issues, and spirituality can be intimidating." (pg. 16)

This book is mainly written for the family and friends of cutters to help them understand and empathize with what self-harmers feel while dealing with their own conflicting emotions. The authors do a great job covering all aspects of self-injury while presenting it in such a way that the information is very accessible. "I decided to write Inside a Cutter’s Mind because I believe that a vigorous and tangible hope can be found. I have witnessed the freedom of people brought back from the brink of self-destruction. In their lives, the power of redemption overcame the pull of devastation. But I have not merely observed redemption at work. I have personally experienced the wholesale rescue of my mind, body, and soul from the ravages of self-annihilating compulsion." (pg. 17)

Clark is very empathetic and sensitive while explaining the behavior and the many ways of treating/helping people who struggle with self-injury. She clearly understands that in order to assist self-injurers, a variety of treatment methods are necessary because every person is a unique individual. Dr. Henslin does an excellent job explaining the physiological and clinical sides of treatment. The information on SPECT brain scans shows that self-injury also can have a physical component.

While it is written from a Christian point of view, it is very non-judgmental while covering all aspects of self-injury. Clark, in fact, points out that "...overscripturalizing or spiritualizing people's struggles or their paths toward recovery usually arrests rather than encourages recovery." (pg. 145) So, although specific information for Christians is definitely included, it is presented as just another aspect to helping in the recovery process and not as condemnation for the cutting.

It is interesting to note that: "A diet high in protein (including soy products and fish), whole grains, and vegetables gives the nervous system the nutritional support necessary to combat self-wounding impulses." (pg. 112) and "Taking brain-boosting vitamins and supplements (especially omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E) may help self-injurer's mind and body be better prepared to deal with urges to self-harm. Sometime vitamins and supplements can actually decrease these cravings." (pg 113.) Clark also mentions other specific ways to help self-harmers or assist them in their recovery, including simply being available to be with them during difficult time periods or encouraging them to lengthen the time between episodes of self-injury.

I can't recommend this book highly enough for friends and family members of someone who self-injures or any one, like a pastor or youth minister, who might be asked to counsel someone. The myth that they are doing it just to get attention is exposed and the information included that can really lead to recovery is priceless.
Very Highly Recommended; http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my second time reading this book... and after reading the others, this was my least favorite. I still think it is a viable resource for people wanting to know more about self-injury, but you may feel overwhelmed by the medical speak, brain scans, etc. It doesn't really mention the possibility that self-injurers could be reading the book themselves. And if they were, I'd bet they would think some of the stuff is "pat answers". But, there are some great tools on how to engage and chat with a self-injurer, ways to distract them in times of crisis, etc.

Most annoying thing EVER. The author always says "the self-injurers you love." I picked up on it partway through and it just drove me nuts for some reason. I think maybe it was over-use. Anyway, this book alongside Marv Penner's "Hope and Healing for Kids who Cut" would probably be a good idea. If you only have time to read one, though, read Marv's.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think this book serves as a particularly helpful guide to healing yourself or a loved one who is suffering from depression. While of course Clark is writing from a Christian perspective, for some people the acceptance of a higher power is not going to help their recovery. In some cases the depression felt from the pressure of living up to a higher power was the reason for their depression in the first place. Although thoughtfully and delicately written, unless the sufferer is a committed Christian, and their belief or lack thereof of a higher power or God of any description is not a contributing factor to their self harm, this book is not going to be of much value

[Laura Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was compelled by this book, and not just because self-injury is a topic so dear to my heart...but simply because Jerusha wrote it so tenderly and beautifully. It will give you so much insight and new neurological connections you'll never think of mental illness the same way again.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

why I cut & ways to stop and heal from it.

[Ashley Aselin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minus the Jesus stuff it was really good. I think anyone who has a loved one who struggles with self harm should read this, as well as people who harm themselves. There's science involved..which I loved (can't deny brain scans can yah?). And coming from a recovering self harmer, I thought it was pretty accurate in a lot of the ways I felt and might still feel.