Self-injury is the act of deliberately destroying one's own body tissue, to change the way one feels. Self-injury is seen differently by groups and cultures within society. This appears to have become more popular lately, especially in adolescents. The causes and severity of self-injury can vary. Self-injury may manifest itself in the following ways:
suicidal feelings, thoughts and impulses;
carving;
scratching;
branding;
marking;
picking, and pulling skin and hair;
burning / abrasions;
cutting;
biting;
head banging;
bruising;
hitting;
tattooing;
excessive body piercing.
Some adolescents may self-mutilate to take risks, rebel, reject their parents' values, state their individuality or merely be accepted. Others, however, may injure themselves out of desperation or anger to seek attention, to show their hopelessness and sense of worthlessness, or because they have suicidal thoughts. These children may suffer from serious psychiatric problems such as depression, psychosis, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Bipolar Disorder. Additionally, some adolescents who engage in self-injury may develop Borderline Personality Disorder as adults. Some young children may resort to self-injurious acts from time to time but often grow out of it. Children with mental retardation and/or autism may also show these behaviors which may persist into adulthood. Children who have been abused or abandoned may self-mutilate.
Why do adolescents self-injure?
Adolescents who have difficulty talking about their feelings may show their emotional tension, physical discomfort, pain and low self-esteem with self-injurious behaviors. Some may feel like the "steam" in the "pressure cooker" will be released following the act of hurting themselves. Other adolescents self-injure in reaction to feelings of hurt, anger, fear and hate. The effects of peer pressure can also influence adolescents to injure themselves. Though fads come and go, most of the wounds on the adolescent's skin will be permanent. Occasionally, teenagers may hide their scars, burns and bruises due to feeling embarrassed, rejected or criticized about their injuries.
Prevention
Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about respecting and valuing their bodies. Parents should also serve as role models for their teenagers by not engaging in acts of self-harm. Some helpful ways for adolescents to avoid hurting themselves include learning to:
accept reality and find ways to make the present moment more tolerable;
identify feelings and talk them out rather than acting on them;
distract themselves from feelings of self-harm (i.e., counting to ten, waiting 15 minutes, saying "NO!" or "STOP!," practicing breathing exercises, journaling, drawing, thinking about positive images, using ice and rubber bands, etc.);
stop, think, and evaluate the pros and cons of self-injury;
soothe themselves in a positive, non-injurious, way;
practice positive stress management;
develop better social skills.
Treatment
Evaluation by a mental health professional may assist in identifying and treating the underlying causes of self-injury. An child with feelings of wanting to die or kill themselves are reasons for caregivers to seek professional care for the child immediately. A child therapist can also diagnose and treat the serious psychiatric disorders that may accompany self-injurious behavior. If your child needs help in this area please contact us at the Counseling Corner.