Today’s teens are experiencing an enormous amount of stress. Sadly, an increasing number of teens are beginning to harm themselves as a means of coping.
“One in five teenagers, and one in four Ivy League students, are now self-injuring,” or cutting themselves, often in moments of emotional distress, says Dr. Blaise Aguirre of Harvard Medical School.
I imagine it to be difficult to discover and accept that your loved one is hurting this badly. It is good to offer options to replace a specific habit or behavior. This is how one mother chose to respond. She left a box of Band-Aids with a loving note that read:
WAIT – THINK – Maybe do one of these things instead!!!!
- Draw, or scribble on a big piece of paper
- Take a bath
- Pet Molly or Stella
- Wrap yourself in a warm blanket
- Call a friend
- Hold an ice cube in the crook of your arm
- Exercise vigorously – run, dance, jump rope
- Make some noise
And always know to come and hug me really tight and I promise to hug you back and remind you how you are loved, Mom
Suggested ways to respond to one who engages in self-injury:
- Remain calm and caring
- Accept him or her even if you disagree with the behavior
- Know that this represents a way of dealing with emotional pain
- Listen with compassion
- Avoid panic and overreaction
- Do not show shock or revulsion at what they've done
- Do not use threats in an attempt to stop the behavior
- Do not allow him or her to recount the self injury experience in detail as it may trigger another session
- Do get appropriate help for him or her from a qualified mental health professional
Other forms of self-injury:
- Burning (with lit matches, cigarettes or hot sharp objects like knives)
- Carving words or symbols on the skin
- Breaking bones
- Hitting or punching
- Piercing the skin with sharp objects
- Head banging
- Biting
- Pulling out hair
- Persistently picking at or interfering with wound healing
Self-injury is not considered a suicide attempt. However, studies show that it may increase the risk of suicide. Please seek professional guidance if you believe that someone close to you is at risk.
More Resources
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/self-injury/DS00775/DSECTION=risk-factors
http://suicidehotlines.net/illinois.html
http://www.depression-help-resource.com/depression-resources.htm
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html
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