While working with deaf clients with mental retardation at a non-profit organization, I observed there were some clients that practice SIBs. What is SIBs?
Self Injurious Behavior- many names: Self-harm, self mutilation, focal suicide, symbolic wounding, cutting, parasuicide, Manchausen syndrome.

What actions would be identified in this disorder? Skin-cutting, burning skin with either lit cigarettes or teapots(or hot objects), applicating chemicals to skin intentionally, head-banging, self-choking, eye gourging, ear jabbing, self-biting, slapping, pinching, scratching, hair pulling; however it MUST be to the self's body, not on other people to be considered self-injurious behavior.

Why does people have SIBs? Reasons can be many but the common standards are childhood trauma, abandonment of one or both parents, neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, anxiety, a communication tool, mental retardation, autism, endorphin levels raising, and taking control over the environment (like institutions.) I have seen pictures on http://www.psyke.org/ of adolescents and adults's wounds; intentionally wounding themselves. The pictures can be VERY disturbing. If you have SIBs, the pictures can be a trigger to wound yourself again, so think again.

I find SIBs interesting because it is not recognized in DSM-IV, yet accepted as a symptom for four recognized disorders in that book. Does that make sense??? :P

Washington DC

I am flying to Washington DC on October 19th! I will meet the head of the Mental Health graduate program at Gallaudet University, and then visit my old job to catch up with staff and the clients. I know already that the clients will SWAMP me and I don't mind!! :) I can't wait to see the friends. I miss you all terribly! I will flirt with my favorite girls, G and J, hehehehe!!! I plan to stay with Kurt for some nights and a night with G and J! Alas there's one night I hadn't yet found a spot to stay, so... I can't wait to eat seafood again! Maybe at Philips, and that Windsor Inn resturant near where I used to work. I am so looking forward to drinking a mug or two at Carlibou Coffee!! MWAH!! I will have to fly back to CO (ugh) on October 24th.