MovieChat Forums > Secret Cutting (2000) Discussion > Interesting that the cause of her self-i...

Interesting that the cause of her self-injury is not mentioned.


It is very common that people that practise self-injury suffer from borderline personality disorder.

It was quite interesting to see how well depicted the parents behaviour was and the dysfunctionality of the family. Comparing this to my own experience with my ex partner it is striking to see the resemblance with her parents. Well off, perfect on the outside, strict control of the kid etc.

For people interested in borderline personality disorder google for "Marsha Linehan" and "dialectic behaviour therapy".

For people having someone in their closeness suffering from BPD I truly recommend "Stop walking on eggshells" by Kreger/Mason.

Cheers...

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Well, I don't think it really mattered. It could very well be some major event that shoke her entire world but it could very well just be the fact that she felt so lonely and unloved. The loneliness eat away at you until it turns to pain and if you're not the kind of person to actually act out your emotions, or have too much emotions to act it all out, you might end up cutting yourself. I would guess that was the cause for the cutting.
Also, I think that Dr Parella mentioned something about "1 in 200 girls cut themselves" which to me sounds incredibly naive. It's probably closer to 1 in 20 or 1 in 10 (or even more) and most girls have probably thought about at some point in their life if only very briefly.
I too appreciated the depiction of her parents in the way that they just couldn't figure it out. It was very realistic and I think that unfortunately that's most parents reacts even though they (especially the mum) only managed to make things worse all the time.
Also, I think that ultimately it has very little to do with borderline personality disorder. Perhaps it more common among with people with that syndrome but it's far from exclusive.

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You could be right.

I just found it too much of a coincidence that so much detail had been used of common family backgrounds of BP:s as well as the comments of Dr Parella that digged down to the real issues. My personal experience of BP:s affect this as well. Even without the cutting-theme I would have felt the same about my conclusions.

You put the finger on the main ingredient in BPD with "The loneliness eat away at you until it turns to pain and if you're not the kind of person to actually act out your emotions, or have too much emotions to act it all out, you might end up cutting yourself. I would guess that was the cause for the cutting." However, then it is more an issue of emptiness than loneliness and the strong feelings are often over-dimensioned and not in proportion to the trigger (nor calibrated to reality).

I also see a problem with the focus on one of the symptoms, i.e. self-injury and namely cutting, as that not only moves the problem from the underlying real issues but also makes it an gender-issue which makes it harder to fully understand the dilemma. Yes, it is - probably - true that, assuming that BPD is the common cause of this, women are more likely to inflict injury to themselves by cutting. However, that does not mean that men with a similar diagnosis feel better but only that they might symptomize it differently, e.g. with directing their strong feelings towards others with acts of violence. Then again, this is not too common with female BP:s as well.

You are probably right though that there are many other causes for self-injury but based upon what I have learnt about the issue I am confident it is often related to BPD.

I feel this could expand infinitely so I will end now. My main point was just to bring up the potential correlation to borderline personality disorder for people experiencing the same problems, themselves or as close-ones, as featured in the movie.

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it's also common for people with bi polar disorder

oh ans she was cutting to get back at her mom

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Self-injury is prevalent in depression (particularly depression affecting adolescents & young adults), various personality disorders, bipolar disorder, body dysmorphia & eating disorders.

Just thought I should those out. :)

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