A Parent's Guide to Self-Injury- Part 1

Below is part of an article I wrote about teens who engage in self-injurious behavior (i.e. cutting.) Since the article is long, I am breaking it down into shorter sections for the sake of this blog. I will post parts every day. I'd love to hear your thoughts and questions! 

What is self-injury?

Self-injury is anything someone does to deliberately cut, scratch, burn or hurt themselves in some way. Hair-pulling, though similar, has other components not addressed in this article.

What can you tell us about who engages in this behavior?

The typical person who engages in this is a teenage girl, though males will also self-injure. There is no particular race, socio-economic status or other demographic for those who cut. Research suggests many, though not all, have been sexually or physically abused. Most start around the ages of 13-14 years old, although some could start as early as t 11-12 years of age. It is important to remember that there is no set formula for this behavior, so these ages are only a guideline. Self-injury affects 9% of the teenage population.

What are some common myths or misconceptions about self-injury?

There are many things that people have come to believe about self-injury that are not true. Sometimes a belief is the result of misinterpreting what you see, other times it’s simply misinformation that has been shared. Below are some of the most common myths or misconceptions associated with self-injury:

 They are doing it to hurt themselves  They are suicidal  Parents blame themselves  They are doing it for attention

 Kids do it when parents are not home (they might do it in the next room)  Everyone’s doing it  It’s from peer pressure  Drugs/alcohol use triggers cutting

Despite popular misconceptions, people self-injure because they can manage the physical pain easier than they can manage the emotional pain. You may be surprised to learn that most kids say it doesn’t hurt when they cut. Pain or attention is generally not what they are seeking by cutting. Though it may be hard to imagine, cutting can be a way to make emotional pain more manageable.

Important Notice: The information presented above is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for consulting a psychologist or other mental health professional. Please consult a professional for help with your situation. If you would like to talk with me about it, you may call my office at 914-329-5355.