Cutting: Understanding and Overcoming Self-Mutilation

I found this book right on about reasons for cutting and great insights into why, when, etc. adults cut themsleves. It is non-judgemental and is great for cutters and therapists and loved-ones to read if they really want to understand. It was the first time I ever felt like I wasn't totally alone with this horrible secret and the first time I felt like someone understood and wasn't judging me for it.

After reading reviews that said Steven Levenkron was "arrogant," I had doubts about buying this book. However, I didn't find him arrogant at all - rather, he was calm, clear, concise, and very knowledgable on the subject. The book is rich with case studies, which I found very helpful to use as examples, as well as interesting on their own. Being a former cutter myself, I think he hit the nail right on the head when he described the reasons people cut, why people can't stop, and why it is so difficult to open up about it. Levenkron emphasizes that cutting is not a disease in itself: rather, it is a symptom of something larger, and that "something" must be addressed in order for the patient to be cured. Cutting is not necessarily a symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder, as was previously believed. It can coincide with an eating disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma, etc. Another thing I found extremely helpful about this book was the section on helping people who cut. I bought this book to help someone I know who injures herself, and after reading this chapter in particular I feel much better equipped to approach her. I thought Levenkron had a very gentle approach, and never placed blame on the patient or pushed them against the wall (so to speak) to force them to admit their problems. He is someone who I would have liked to see as a patient when I went through years of self-injury. I highly recommend this book to cutters, former cutters, people who want to know more about cutting and why it is done, and ESPECIALLY people who want to help a loved one who injures him or herself.

Understanding as in the title is just what this book does help you and other people understand what self-mutilation and what it does to people. I am only 17 and I have been a self-mutilater for nine long years. I got this book to help myself, but not only that but it has help my mother understand why I did this and it would not just go away over night. My mother has learned alot but must about how to help me treat this problem the right way for my because their are right ways for everyone. This book makes people feel they are not alone, not just the ones doing it but the one watching you do it and feel helpless. The book book is truly about understand and helping and I remand it for anyone have any problems with anything sore of self-mutilation include the loved one of those doing it!

I found "Cutting" to be an incredibly well written book by a therapist who cares about those suffering from a disease that may sometimes feel debilitating and hopeless. His message is about empowerment. He works to empower not only women and girls, but all people struggling with SI and anorexia. I have heard him on the radio and in a lecture and found him to be not only knowledgeable, and experienced, but a compassionate humanitarian. In fact, I am taken aback and unhappily surprised by some of the more vicious reviews I just read that seem like odd, personal vendettas. The important point about this book is that it is a fountain of valuable information collected by an experienced therapist. Steven Levenkron has made a name for himself by devoting his life's work to understanding diseases that society has previously considered mysterious and unsolvable and worked on not only demystefying them but making them relevant topics in mainstream society. This has insured that the ill are not overlooked or forgotten. This book gives practical information about an illness as well as offering a relatable view on those suffering from it. It is a beacon of light, with a very important, poignant message.

As someone who suffers from self-mutilation I can say that this book is amazing. The stories were all so real and something that most self-mutilators have gone through. This book offers wonderful steps for recovery and offered hope to the hopeless. It is hard to find books and material on this subject, especially ones you can relate to and understand. Levenkron does a wonderful job at explaining the many types of "cutters" and situations that could potentially effect you and the people around you. Anyone who suffers from self-mutilation should read this book!