Self-harming Under Teens
You most likely experience the pain along with the child you love if their pain is so big that they are self-harming themselves. The biggest misconception about young people who cut is that they do so as a “coping skill. But not in the way that most people believe, this might be true to some extent.
Simply put, cutting is an immature and immature technique to satisfy a need, and the desire is almost always one for attention. Their habit is absolutely intoxicating because of the attention and unique treatment they receive.
What is self-harm?
Self-harm also referred to as self-harm, self-mutilation, or self-abuse, occurs when individuals intentionally harm themselves without intending to end their own lives. Cutting and other self-harm behaviours are frequently referred to as non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI, by medical professionals.
Cutting: warning signals to watch for:
Skin cutting is the most common form of NSSI, so your child may have cuts or scars on their hands, wrists, stomach, legs, or other parts of their body. Kids may inflict deep gashes or create dozens of smaller cuts in one place. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that kids frequently hide their wounds by wearing heavy jewellery or long sleeves (even in the heat), so the scars and cuts might not be immediately noticeable.
Emotional Signals
Your child could have significant mood swings, be irritable frequently, commonly lose their temper, feel depressed, empty, or hopeless, or stop caring about their looks.
Physiological signs
Your child could be agitated, have injuries they can’t or won’t explain, seem incredibly slow or exhausted, or have very little energy.
Inconspicuous warning signals to watch out for may also include symptoms of depression (such as having overwhelming feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, sleep disturbances, and low energy levels). This is due to the increased chance of NSSI among children who have depression.
Why Do Teens Self-Injure?
Most people who engage in cutting or other forms of self-harm do so in an effort to break free from intense emotions and circumstances that feel unmanageable.
It can be connected to deeper emotional problems that demand attention. Most of the time, it is not an effort at suicide.
Teenagers frequently struggle alone with cutting and the emotions that go along with it. Yet, more teenagers may now access the necessary support due to increased awareness.
Causes of Self-harm:
Some Reasons That Troubled Teens Engage In The Most Common Form of Self-Harm—Cutting:
- Angry
- Self-medication
- Substituting physical suffering for emotional pain
- Guilt and humiliation, and comfort-seeking
- Increased Attention
- Cope with emotional pain in a physical way
- Addiction to the “rush” of self-harm
- Dissociate from something scary or overwhelming
- Acceptance of other “cutters”
- Pre-suicide gesture
- Cry for help; expression of inner turmoil
- Art – to some, blood is beautiful.
- To punish self or loved ones.
- A form of religious worship to expiate guilt.
- To feel again, to drive away apathy.
- To sense if self is real.
- Impulse
If you have any queries, need more information, are worried that your child is self-harming or experience self-harmed yourself, please do not hesitate to contact me! Leonora de Villiers 082 497 3765