I'm holding all my blood inside this skin

[ex-khailitha846.livejournal.com]

Greetings to all!

I have a question.

Seems that almost every multiple I know has at one time or another dealt with a self-destructive system member that cuts, or engages in activities that are similarly dangerous to the body. The multiples I know have all been involved in trauma's of some sort (the most interesting one had for a father one of Fidel Castro's ex-bodyguards - serious freakiness there, but I digress).

Since interacting with this community, I have been introduced to the phenomenon of natural multiples, which makes sense to me and, I think, addresses some of the unanswered questions about why many horribly abused kids don't develop DID but use other coping mechanisms. I don't really want this to turn into a big discussion about the natural vs. trauma thing, but I am curious...

How many systems here deal or have dealt with self-destructive members and do you think is this an experience more closely linked with trauma-involved multiples or is it a trait shared equally across the full spectrum of all multiples? +edit: Or, do you think self-harm and multiplicity have no intrinsic connection, given the number of singlets who also engage in self-harming activities.

All comments and experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Sending good vibes to all!

Jess

Comments

[shadowechoes.livejournal.com]

I think the people in here who cut do it for the same reason singletons cut. It's about depression, not about being multiple. We're trauma-origin too, and yes, Our trauma does make Us depressed, as do a number of things, but it's the depression that makes Us self destructive, not being multiple. The whole, secondary disorders thing. I think even across the spectrum of multiples, you'll find natural multiples who cut. And you'll find singletons who cut because of depression too. A lot of Us used to cut, but now We're not allowed anymore and many don't even have the urge to anymore because they're not as depressed as they used to be or as depressed as some of the rest of Us are who do still want to cut.
~BrokenWings