Posted by Dinah on February 15, 2004, at 3:04:56
In reply to Theory on SI, posted by Elle2021 on February 15, 2004, at 1:40:23
I think there are so many reasons for SI. Even for me there are so many reasons. I wish I understood it. For me, it just seems soothing when I'm so agitated my skin feels like it's on fire, or I'm so angry my head feels like it's going to explode. It releases tension. At least, that's the main reason. Other times there are other reasons.
And my father swatted me lightly on my rear maybe three times in my life, startling more than hurting me. And my mother would get scary out of control sometimes, but I can probably count them on one hand - at most two hands. And the results were never severe. So my parents didn't model this for me.
And while I always have been obsessed with being a good girl, I can't say my parents discouraged me from discharging my anger either. They both emoted all over anything in their way, and didn't mind if I emoted too, except maybe at the dinner table. They generally regarded it with amusement.
I wonder if there isn't some instinctive drive to do it. It certainly isn't unusual with very little kids when they get frustrated. Maybe they get angry but know they're not supposed to hit their friends or parents, but they want to hit, so they hit themselves? Hopefully we teach them better ways to manage their anger.
In other words, I have no idea.
poster:Dinah
thread:311549
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040209/msgs/313487.html