Self-Mutilation to Catharsis..

"self-mutilation"


Catharsis has been defined as the release of pent-up feelings or desire that an individual has been afraid to express, it is most likely that the term is often associated with other words or terms that are maybe somehow related to its meaning. The most common of such words that is associated or may have been thought of or believed as synonymous to catharsis is called self-mutilation.
Self-mutilation aside from being compared to catharsis is called in many names like self-injury, self-harm, parasuicide and self-abuse. However, the most common is self-injury, wherein it is well interchangeable with self-mutilation. The term refers to the act made in attempt to alter a mood state by inflicting physical harm that is serious enough to cause tissue damage to one’s body (http://www.focusas.com/self-injury.html). Conterio, Lader and Bloom (n.d.) state that self-injurers believe that their minds work like a pressure cooker, which can only handle certain heat—heat of emotions—before the lid blows off. This explains the Pressure Cooker Theory, wherein when a person reaches the “boiling point”, he/she must let off steam in some way or action (Conterio et. al, n.d). Hence, through such theory with regards to self-mutilation—that pertains to the release of emotions, the latter term is now being associated with catharsis.
The act of self-mutilation may have the similarities with catharsis since both seem to believe that emotions must be removed from the body (Conterio et. al, n.d.). However, catharsis differs from self-mutilation in terms of purpose and outcome of the act committed. Catharsis is the purgation of emotions applied in the any technique that is oftentimes related to any artistic form while self-mutilation releases emotions by inflicting harm on the person which is characterized by any result of self-inflicted injury like scars or even amputated parts of the body. Although both refer to the emotional purgation of contained feelings, the two is different in physical, mental and emotional results—which depend on the act done to achieve it (emotional purgation). In short, catharsis is for the sole purpose of releasing emotions and self-expressions which does not require physical harm and mostly reflected through art. Even so, catharsis should be viewed not as tragic pleasure per se (to agree with the views of the self-injurer) but as a beneficial transformation of painful emotions, through the absorbed contemplation of a powerfully moving artwork, into a key component of a satisfyingly unified experience (http://bookrags.com/research/katharsis-eoph/). On the other hand, self-mutilation is done not just by plain expression of emotions but also results in the conscious harm towards oneself. Although this may sound absurd, actually most people who injure themselves do such actions mainly for the purpose of coping up and escaping anxiety, emptiness, depression, and feelings of unreality so as they can somehow obtain the feeling of euphoria (http://wwww.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html).
Therefore, basing to the above explanations, catharsis is not synonymous to self-mutilation or self-injury.


one best example of Catharsis, "Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh"

There are many available alternative cathartic techniques to help the youth in releasing their pent-up emotions. However, some of these sometimes imply negative effects among the cathartic people if it is misinterpreted and done in the wrong way. These so-called negative effects are just results of the abuse of such techniques—like mimicking self-harm that is often associated with an excuse that what they do is art. The following listed below are some common substitute techniques that denote positive outcome:
• Music
• Painting
• Writing
These said techniques are certified safer than the act of self harm. Also one way of presenting negative way is to engage oneself to music, art therapy and writing/painting. Through music, the body is restored to health and balance through its power to purge pathological excesses of certain emotions. It is because that a person’s feelings are easily expressed through songs. Music activates parts of the brain that can trigger happiness. It can also relax the body, sometimes into sleep as it stimulates the brain. (http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Emo_(music)
Art therapy has become a bona fide alternative cathartic technique. Such therapy emphasizes more on the positive development on a person’s emotions. The same principle applies in painting—as it uncovers subconscious feelings through working in the more expressive form of visual art. Painting enables an individual to become more in touch with his/her hidden self, an increase to sensitivity, and above all emotional self-expression. It is assumed that expression of feelings is the antidote to suppression (http://www.emclear.com/Emotions_art%20therapy.html). Van Gogh agrees with this idea. He even stressed out that paintings have a life of their own that is derived from the painter’s soul (http://www.humanitiesweb.org/human.php?s=g&p=c&a=q&ID=50). In other words, the paintings reflect the emotions of the painter as he/she pours out his feelings in the canvas.
Writing is like painting because it also enables us to express our confined emotions. People write to release their feelings whenever they think they do not want to share their emotions in fear that they would only put burden to others. Such act is also caused by personal shame or guilt. Cathartic writing can also be described as psychotherapeutic, because it helps to purge the soul of pain and also serves as a possible escape pod from grief or depression (http://www.personal-development.com/chuck/journals2.htm).
Anchoring to the basic definition of the word given earlier, catharsis is possible to be applicable also in poetry writing. Catharsis takes place each time a piece of composition is created. There will always be a sense of catharsis to anyone who went under the process of deep mind and soul searching to weave a new experience out of the numerous scattered experiences in the world


note:
this is part of our thesis defense recently..
and i am showing you my enthusiasm to share with
you our work for almost 2 months..

for that two months, we never stopped researching
about this topic to learn and gain more facts..
as a result, we've been given the highest grade
from our class.. ^____________^
i hope this may help for your future research..