It also covers what to do if you or a loved one experiences these thoughts. Although borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder share some similar symptoms, they are different conditions.
We take a look at agitated depression, a low mood involving uneasiness and anxiety. Included in this article is detail on diagnosis and stress…. Why do people cut themselves? Medically reviewed by Timothy J.
Legg, Ph. Why people do it Warning signs The psychology of self-harm Causes Treatment Ways to help Harming oneself might seem unthinkable, but it is one of the most common mental health issues. Share on Pinterest A person experiencing depression or anxiety may be at risk of cutting themselves.
Warning signs. The psychology of self-harm. Treatment and remedies. How to help someone stop cutting. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. How to stop yourself or someone else from cutting. Someone who cuts uses a sharp object to make marks, cuts, or scratches on the body on purpose — enough to break the skin and cause bleeding.
People typically cut themselves on their wrists, forearms, thighs, or belly. They might use a razorblade, knife, scissors, a metal tab from a soda can, the end of a paper clip, a nail file, or a pen.
Some people burn their skin with the end of a cigarette or lighted match. Most people who self-injure are girls, but guys do it too. It usually starts during the teen years and can continue into adulthood. In some cases, there's a family history of cutting. A sense of shame and secrecy often goes along with cutting.
Most teens who cut hide the marks and if they're noticed, make up excuses about them. Some teens don't try to hide cuts and might even call attention to them.
Cutting often begins as an impulse. But many teens discover that once they start to cut, they do it more and more, and can have trouble stopping. Many teens who self-injure report that cutting provides a sense of relief from deep painful emotions.
Because of this, cutting is a behavior that tends to reinforce itself. Cutting can become a teen's habitual way to respond to pressures and unbearable feelings. Many say they feel "addicted" to the behavior. Some would like to stop but don't know how or feel they can't.
Other teens don't want to stop cutting. Most of the time, cutting is not a suicide attempt. But sadly, people often underestimate the potential to get seriously sick or hurt through bleeding or infections that go along with cutting.
Powerful overwhelming emotions. Most teens who cut are struggling with powerful emotions. To them, cutting might seem like the only way to express or interrupt feelings that seem too intense to endure. Emotional pain over rejection, lost or broken relationships, or deep grief can be overwhelming for some teens. And many times they're dealing with emotional pain or difficult situations that no one knows about. Pressure to be perfect or to live up to impossible standards — their own or someone else's — can cause some teens unbearable pain.
These professionals are trained to help teens cope with pain and distress and can help sort through feelings. They can also show you better ways to deal with these stresses. If you need help finding a mental health professional, start with your school counselor or social worker or family doctor.
Browsers that can not handle javascript will not be able to access some features of this site. Some functions of this site are disabled for browsers blocking jQuery. Close Search Box. Official Website of Michigan. You are here Ok2Say Resources. Let's Deal with Cutting Cutting is purposely making scratches or cuts on the body with an object — enough to break the skin and make it bleed. Telling a teen to stop or passing judgment won't be effective.
Validate their feelings and express concern that they must be feeling really bad if they are hurting themselves. Identify activities your teen can do when they feel the urge to hurt themselves.
Calling a friend, going for a walk, or drawing are just a few possible activities that could help your teen express their feelings in a healthier way. Take steps to change your teens' self-harming behavior. Talk to your child's pediatrician to gain a referral to a therapist.
A mental health professional can teach your teen healthier ways to regulate their emotions. Help your teen create a list of people to talk to. Talking to trusted friends and family can help them cope with stress and reduce their self-injury. Make a list of caring adults your teen can reach out to, such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle, friends' parents, or neighbors that your teen can confide in.
Be patient with your teen. Self-harming behavior takes the time to develop and will take the time to change. It is ultimately up to the teen to make the choice to help themselves.
With early identification, support from their family, and professional assistance, they can successfully stop self-harming. Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. Family-based risk factors for non-suicidal self-injury: Considering influences of maltreatment, adverse family-life experiences, and parent-child relational risk. J Adolesc.
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