As loving parent you want to protect your child from ever getting hurt physically, mentally, and emotionally. But, other than putting a kid in a protective bubble, you are going to be kissing skinned knees and holding bloody noses, at the very least. But, what do you do, if you find out your son or daughter is purposefully hurting him/herself? What is cutting, and why do they do it?
Understanding
Unless you have been a cutter in your past, it is very difficult to understand why your child would chose to cause such pain purposefully. Even a definition will not clear up the feeling of hurt, pain and confusion you must be feeling. But, according to an article published by the Mayo clinic: “self-injury is an unhealthy effort to cope with overwhelming negative emotions, such as intense anger, tension and frustration”.
Someone who practices self-injury may also have other mental disorders. For example, does your child suffer from depression, an eating disorder, impulse control, or a personality disorder?
Recognizing
If you suspect your child may be suffering from a mental disorder such as cutting, the first step is to recognize the signs of cutting. Does your child wear long sleeves even when it is 90 degrees outside? Does he/she have a lot of unexplained scratches or bruising, or other wounds? Does your child spend a lot of time alone, or like messing with sharp objects?
Alone, these symptoms of cutting are probably not a big deal. But, combined it could spell trouble. You should seek professional help, to either confirm or deny your suspicions.
At Risk
If you seem to have lost touch with your teen, maybe you are wondering if he/she is at risk for developing this self-destructive behavior. Is your child likely to practice self-mutilation as a form of punishment or emotional release? You may want to consider:
- Age- most cutters start as teenagers. Hormones are raging, emotions are on the edge, peer pressure is at its height, and conflicts with parents are common.
- Gender- at one time it was thought that girls were more prone to develop cutting; but, that point is debatable.
- Abuse- if a child has been the victim of abuse, in any way, or home life is anything but pleasant, he/she is more likely to begin cutting, in a misguide effort to ease the pain.
- Mental Health Issues- someone who suffers from mental health issues like depression, post-traumatic stress, personality disorder, little impulse control, etc. are more likely to be cutting.
- Substance Abuse- if you think your child is drinking or using drugs, cutting may be a byproduct of that abuse.
Consequences
If you suspect your child is cutting, you need to seek help right away. It is a mental health disorder that will not go away on its own. Plus, the consequences of these actions may be permanent or even fatal.
For instance, cutting results in scarring. Even if you have gotten help for self-mutilation, the scars will always be a reminder. Plus, it can also result in permanent disfigurement.
If your child is cutting, chances are great that he/she is hiding the fact. If the wound gets infected, it can result in serious health problems. In the event a major artery is cut, it can also mean death. Sometimes, it is accidental. However, you child may be deliberately trying to commit suicide.
At best, the feelings of guilt and sadness will only be intensified. At the time, cutting seems like a way to let the pain out; but, as soon as it is done, a feeling of regret and remorse generally follows.
Treatment for Self-Injury
Getting treatment for self-injury can be very difficult. Unless it is accidentally discovered by a parent, teacher, or health care worker, people who practice this self-destructive behavior keep it a secret.
Even if the mental health issue is discovered, there is no one miracle treatment. It depends on each individual. Medications will help with problems like depression. But, psychiatric treatment will also be necessary. It is important to discover the reason behind this propensity to cause pain to yourself. Dealing with this issues, and learning to deal with them in a more productive manner is essential. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary, to protect your child and provide intense treatment, before he/she commits suicide accidentally or purposefully.
In summary, cutting or self-mutilation is more common than you may realize. It generally starts with teens under immense pressure or has mental health problems. Cutting can hard to diagnose and treat, because kids are good at keeping it secret. But, if the mental disorder is revealed, medical and psychiatric help is essential. Otherwise, it can result in accident death or suicide. So, if you even suspect you child of cutting, seek help today.