Teens – Finding a Way Out
of Self-Harm
Self-harm is often done in secret and can cause those that engage in it to isolate. Due to this, having accurate statistics on its prevalence can be tricky. Despite the knowledge that self-injury is underreported it is widely believed by nurses, school counselors, and social workers that this is becoming more prevalent among teens and young adults today.
What is Self-harm?
Self-injury includes a long list of behaviors, and at the top of this list is cutting, the act of making cuts on different parts of the body to cause pain. These cuts are generally superficial, but as the behavior escalates, the individual may make deeper cuts that warrant medical attention.
Some individuals scratch themselves so hard they irritate tissue beneath the skin. This is known as subdermal tissue scratching, and it is another common method of self-harm. Others may burn themselves, while others embed objects under their skin. Punching hard objects, banging one’s body against the wall, poisoning, and hair pulling are other self-harm methods that have been observed by healthcare providers.
Reasons for Self-harm
Parents often panic when they discover that their children have been engaging in self-injury. They often fear that their children are trying to end their lives. This actually may not be true. Many of the individuals who practice self-injury say they do it to change the way that they are feeling. Many report that the pain produced in self-harm seems to dull the emotional hurt they are experiencing. Viewed this way, self-injury can be seen as a misguided strategy to stay alive.
Some people who practice self-injury say they do it to express things they are unable to verbalize, and there are those who say they do it to punish themselves. Self-harm is often connected to low self-esteem, depression, domestic violence, pressures from themselves, family and peers, past unresolved events, and/or family conflict.
Getting Help
If you have a child who has been engaging in self-harm, you may be feeling confused and frightened. You may be at a loss, feeling that you don’t know what to do to make the behaviors stop. If you yourself have been self-harming, and you want to find a way out of this behavior, you may find it even more difficult to move away from this after learning your child is doing it also.
Dealing with self-harm may require the help and support of a non-judgmental, well-trained counselor. It is a serious concern that is unlikely to just go away on its own, but with professional help you can address the underlying reasons for self-harm and find healthier alternatives.
Taking the Necessary Step
Take the first step towards healing the inner hurts that cause self-harm by getting in touch with Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC. Provide yourself or your loved one a safe place to truly create new, healthy behaviors and ways to cope with distress. Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC contracts with independent, licensed therapists that can help you begin your journey to recovery. Call soon to schedule an appointment.
PO BOX 9909 Fayetteville, NC 28311