Ritið : tímarit Hugvísindastofnunar - 01.01.2019, Page 186
„REnnUR BLóð EFTIR SLóð…“
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upplýstrar umræðu sem sérstakur heimur, sérstök angist sem leitar menningarlegrar
útrásar sem getur þróast í sjálfsvígshættu ef hún er ekki tekin alvarlega.
Lykilorð: Sjálfsskaði, skera sig til blóðs, tilfinningastjórnun, menningarleg tjáning,
samfélagsmiðlar og fagurfræði
A B S T R A C T
I hurt myself today …
This article discusses the phenomenon of self-harming or ”non-Suicidal Self-In-
jury“ (nSSI). The International Society for the Study of Self-Injury defines non-
sui cidal self-injury as the deliberate, self-inflicted damage of body tissue without
suicidal intent and for purposes not socially or culturally sanctioned.“
The article discusses the cultural and social representations of self-injury, what
is implied in it, who engages in it, and for what reasons. A lot can be deduced from
interviews with self-harmers who use it to gain control over bad feelings and stress,
by hurting their body and participating in risky behaviour. This dangerous activity
often has more complicated sides with reference to rituals and spiritual associations
to bloodletting, cleansing of all evil and healing, absolution and much wanted peace
of mind.
Finally, the changes in self-harming discourse and channels of communication
are discussed. It has opened up during the last two decades with the arrival of social
media. The self-harmers have built their own subcultures with special aesthetics
and often preferring theatrical staging or performances instead of verbal expres-
sion. These channels can have an uncanny power and influence over young and
vulnerable people. The conclusion of the article is that all this requires an informed
discussion as a special world, a special angst which is expressing itself in ways that
might develop into suicidal behaviour if it is not taken seriously.
Keywords: Self-harming, cutting, emotions control, cultural expression, social me-
dias and aesthetics
Dagný Kristjánsdóttir
Prófessor í íslenskum bókmenntun
Íslensku- og menningardeild
Hugvísindasviði Háskóla Íslands
Árnagarði við Suðurgötu
IS-101 Reykjavík, Ísland
dagny@hi.is