Self Mutilation and Treatment

I work with troubled children, and sometimes encounter the problem of self mutilation.  I have heard that this is a problem which calls for a special approach.  How can I find out more on treatment aspects for self mutilation?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Mr. Murphy,

Self-mutilation and other forms of self-inflicted injury are symptoms that cut across a number of psychological disorders. There are several resources that you might find helpful:

Walsh, B., & Rosen, P. (Eds.). 1999. Self-mutilation: Theory, research and treatment. Guilford Publications.

Alderman, T. (1997). The scarred soul: Understanding and ending self-inflicted violence. New Harbinger Publications.

Strong, M. (1998). A bright red scream: Self-mutilation and the language of pain. Viking Press.

Favazza, A. (1996). Bodies under seige: Self-mutilation and body modification in culture and psychiatry. Johns Hopkins University.