Cutters~an experience

Teen self-injury, self-mutilation or cutting can be overcome, but the problems causing a teen to self-injure or self-mutilate, such as cutting, need to be resolved and the teen must learn healthier ways to deal with emotions. Some of the reasons teens give for self-injuring or self mutilating include:

• Not knowing how to deal with stress

• An unresolved history of abuse

• Low self esteem

• Feelings of loneliness or fear

• A need to feel in control

• Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Wanting to get the attention of people who can help them

• Peer pressure/curiosity

Teen self-injury or self-mutilation is dangerous, especially cutting, leaving physical and emotional scars and sometimes leading to serious injury or death. Though teen self-injury or self-mutilation is not a suicide attempt, some teens who self-injure or self-mutilate also attempt suicide, and many engage in other risky behaviors such as drinking and drug use, or suffer from eating disorders associated with troubled teens. Because teens who self-injure or self-mutilate often do not know how to ask for help, it is important to watch for some of these signs that a teen may be harming him or herself, or is at risk for doing so:

 

 

 

• Unexplained injuries, such as cuts, scratches, burns, bruises, etc.

• Making excuses for injuries or scars if they are discovered

• Acting embarrassed or ashamed about injuries

• Wearing long sleeves even in hot weather

• Secretiveness or withdrawal

• Having trouble dealing with emotions

• Spending time with people who self-injure, especially on the internet

• A history of eating disorders

• Having trouble functioning at work, school, and in relationships

• Low self esteem

 

Self-injury and self-mutilation is often addictive, and can become increasingly serious. It is possible for a teen to stop, but it usually requires help. I never got help && i hit rock bottom...but after a while i realized that i could deal with what was going on. all the pain && hate...i dealt with....but it was harder than you could imagine