Cutting a knowledge

Abstract

'Self-mutilation' has been the subject of attention within the sciences of psychiatry, psychoanalysis and psychology since Freud's time. Interest in selfmutilation spans the diversity of these sciences, producing among others, psychoanalytic, cognitive, behavioural and biological perspectives. This interest appears to be driven primarily by clinical imperatives, focusing on the patient that engages in self-mutilation and how best to treat him or, more often, her. One striking feature of this literature is the emotional responses that clinicians display toward these patients. One psychiatrist, for example, says that, 'the typical clinician (myself included) treating a patient who selfmutilates is often left feeling a combination of helpless, horrified, guilty, furious, betrayed, disgusted, and sad' (Frances, 1987:316). These reactions may be attributed to the disturbing nature of the behaviour itself: Favazza, for example, admits that 'the undeniable truth is that acts of SM [self-mutilation] are unnerving' (1998:265).