Bodies under Siege
Self—mutilation and Body Modification in Culture and Psychiatry
second edition
Armando R. Favazza, M.D.
Although
instances of deliberate skin—cutting are recorded as far back as the
old and New Testaments of the Bible the behavior has generally been
regarded as a symptom of various mental disorders. With the publication
of Bodies Under Siege, a book described in the New York Times
Magazine (July 17, 1997) as "the first to comprehensively explore
self—mutilation," Dr. Armando Favazza has pioneered the study of the
behavior as significant and meaningful unto itself. Drawing from the
latest case studies from clinical psychiatry he broadens our
understanding of self—mutilation and body modification and explores
their surprising connections to the elemental experiences of healing,
religions, salvation, and social balance.
Favazza makes sense
out of seemingly senseless self—mutilative behaviors by providing both
a useful classification and examination of the ways in which the
behaviors provide effective but temporary relief from troublesome
symptoms such as overwhelming anxiety, racing thoughts, and
depersonalization. He offers important new information on the
psychology and biology of self—mutilation, the link between
self—mutilation and eating disorders, and advances in treatment. An
epilogue by Fakir Musafar, the father of the Modern Primitive movement,
describes his role in influencing a new generation to "experiment with
the previously forbidden 'body side' of life" through piercing, blood
rituals, scarification, and body sculpting in order to attain a state
of grace.
The second edition of Bodies Under Siege is the
major source of information about self—mutilation, a much misunderstood
behavior that is now coming into public awareness.
"The second edition of the fascinating but gruesome Bodies Under Siege
by Armando R. Favazza explores the various ways in which people
mutilate their bodies. Favazza explores the historical background and
offers insights into how and why people do truly appalling things to
their limbs, heads, and genitals. He pleads for understanding for a
group of patients who are often seen as bizarre and repellent." -- New Scientist
"Some
young Americans who go in for body modifications say their motives are
spiritual or arise from tribal origins... But Favazza says he thinks
there are 'tremendous parallels' between body modification and
self—injurious behavior." -- Chicago Tribune
"A
compendium of cultural and clinical reports of self—mutilation and a
summary of what is and what is not known about therapy, the book is a
major contribution to both the anthropological and psychiatric
literature. I know that having read it I will see my next
self—mutilating patient through more insightful and compassionate
eyes." -- Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders
"A comprehensive historical, anthropological, ethnological, and clinical account of self—mutilation." -- Journal of the American Medical Association
"A
successful education of the grim clinical reality of self—mutilation.
We will be reading much more about self—mutilative behavior in the
coming years, and this book is the place to begin." -- Psychosomatics
Armando R. Favazza, M.D.,
is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of
Missouri, Columbia. He is a Fellow of both the American Psychiatric
Association and the American College of Psychiatrists, and is a
co—founder of the Society for the Study of Psychiatry and Culture.
