Language of Injury

Gloria Babiker is Head of Adult Mental Health Psychology at the United Bristol Healthcare Trust, UK. Lois Arnold is founder of The Basement Project, Bristol, UK.

• 1. The parameters of self-injury and setting the scene. 2. The cross-cultural and historical context of self-injury.3. Self-injury and social forces.4. The origins and functions of self-injury for individuals.5. Principles of working with people who self-injure.6. Working in particular settings with people who self-injure.7. Therapy with people who self-injure.

'Links are made to women's powerlessness in society , their culturally determined dissatisfaction with their bodies and their repression of anger. The important point is made in settings where individual autonomy is restricted, such as prisons where male self-harming behaviour begins to resemble that of women's.Could readers of this book actually find themselves better able to deal with people who self-harm? Quite possibly - I feel that there is much of immediate practical value, in particular the persuasive argument that for many people, self-harm can be a genuine coping mechanism which brings relief from an unbearable mental state. 'Probation Journal 'This book is extremely well researched and written. The authors have managed that difficult balance between making sure that all their information is appropriately referenced and keeping the book readable. It is more than readable, it is a book that is really interesting to read...' Professional Nurse