Hurts so good: Neural clues to the calming effects of self-harm

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 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100830114953.htm


     Self harm has become something that many people know about, but something that still seems largely misunderstood. When something hurts, our bodies respond to painful stimuli by transmitting pain signals through the spinal cord, triggering the release of glutamate and Substance P (when stimuli is more intense). This information then goes to the thalamus and somatosensory cortex. Endorphins, released in the presence of pain, are responsible for "making you feel better", and relieving some of the pain. 
     
     This article focuses specifically on Borderline Personality Disorder, which is characterized by an instability in moods and impairment of regulation of emotions. One commonly observed behavior/symptom/disorder that is commonly observed in individuals with BPD is self-harm (aka nonsuicidal-self-injury or NSSI). High simulation of the amygdala in BPD individuals demonstrates dysfunction in regulation of emotions in the brain.
     Especially in this case, the strong relationship between pain and emotion is extremely relevant. The limbic system is the chief of our emotions, and is affected by the anterior cingulate cortex, which is also triggered by pain. The article reports reduced activity in the amygdala upon thermal stimulation, which suggests the inhibition of emotional activity after pain. The state of emotional arousal also affects the processing of pain, which may be why more severe harm may be inflicted in heightened emotional discomfort. Pain may subdue areas of the brain involved in emotion, which offers an explanation as to why self-harm may actually provide a 'release', or 'reward' to those in severe emotional distress.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 4:00 PM

    Thanks for finding this article. When we talked about this in class (or maybe it was another psychology class) I didn't understand how pain could make someone feel better. Look at the article it does make more sense focusing on the emotional aspect rather than pain.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 5:53 PM

    I found this article to be very interesting. You also did a great job relating it back to concepts we have learned in class! I never understood the appeal in self-harm, even for those struggling with mental health disorders. This article clarifies that and makes it much more understandable.

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  3. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 6:06 PM

    I appreciate that you found this article. I am glad that self-harm is becoming more recognized in research and that there has been some legitimate support behind why people do it. I think it is a concept that is misunderstood by many people and I think this is a good step in reducing the stigma around mental health issues.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LaurenHoffmanTUNovember 28, 2016 at 9:30 PM

    I find this very interesting because i have a friend who used to self-harm. She always described that it made her feel calm, at peace, and like she finally had control. This is so useful in helping people understand what goes on inside of someone who is self harmings head.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownNovember 29, 2016 at 12:26 AM

    When you can look beyond the outward actions and understand there is a biological basis for what is happening to someone suffering from self-harm it makes understanding the disorder so much easier -- it is so easy to cast judgement on a behavior that is hard to comprehend - but the people that suffer with this disorder can tell you that it does in fact feel better to them - and for the person suffering with self-harm, knowing a reaction is occurring in their bodies, that there is justification and reasoning for what they feel may just be what they need to get beyond the stigma and find the appropriate treatment and therapy.

    ReplyDelete

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