2021 AM Posters-I Burn Myself to Get High A Case Report on How Pain Can Be an

I Burn Myself to Get High A Case Report on How Pain Can Be an

Pdf Summary

This case report discusses the addictive nature of non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors, which share similarities with other addictive behaviors. NSSI serves as a way to regulate negative emotions, and individuals who engage in repeated NSSI have decreased pain sensitivity to endogenous opioids. Altered neural circuitry, such as distinct sensitivity and neural response to social rejection, may underlie NSSI behaviors. NSSI is often associated with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic disorder.<br /><br />Treatment options for NSSI include dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and family therapy. For patients who do not respond to psychotherapy alone, a combination of psychotherapy and medication such as SSRIs, SNRIs, or second-generation antipsychotics may be used.<br /><br />The case presented is about a 24-year-old African female diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. She admitted to burning her arms to get high after experiencing severe anxiety and using marijuana as a coping mechanism. She described the pain as "sharp and good" and found it to be more intense than using cannabis. The patient was stabilized on Lexapro and Vistaril and was able to refrain from inflicting pain.<br /><br />Overall, this case report highlights the addictive nature of NSSI behaviors and the need for integrated treatment approaches that address the underlying emotional and psychological factors.

Keywords

NSSI

addictive nature

pain sensitivity

altered neural circuitry

treatment options

psychotherapy

medication

Major Depressive Disorder

anxiety disorders

coping mechanism

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