Self-mutilation is hard to quit:
Experts
It can become deep-seated habit for
troubled kids, say counsellors, psychiatrists
By JALELAH ABU BAKER
SELF-MUTILATION can become a lifelong habit for troubled young
people, counsellors and psychiatrists have told The Straits
Times.
They were speaking in the wake of a rise in cases spotted
by THe Samaritans of Singapore.
Youngsters experiencing stress or personal problems
sometimes hurt themselves by cutting their skin or burning parts of
their bodies.
And the experts said this predisposition invariably
becomes a deep-seated habit.
"I've never seen a case where the person 'completely
stps' doing it," said Mr Mohd Yusof Ismail, chief executive of the
Ain Society for troubled youth.
"They may stop for a while, but will start again when
they face other problems or stress. But if the cuts are less deep,
then there is improvement."
Mr Mohd Yusof, who has worked with young people for about
20 years, was one of eight experts who spoke to The Straits Times
about the trend highlighted by the Samaritans of Singapore on
Monday. The organisation said it had been receiving growing numbers
of e-mail messages from young people who were harming
themselves.
Some had cut, bit and even burned parts of their body -
often in places where the wounds would not be easily spotted, such
as the thighs, inner arms and hips.
Typically, the self-mutilation starts with cutting before
progressing to burning or tattooing.
Trouble at home is often the trigger, said the experts,
and the tendency can go hand-in-hand with other conditions such as
eating disorders and depression.
Keeping sharp objects out of reach is only part of the
solution, said Dr Carol Balhetchet, director of youth services at
the Singapore Children 's Society.
"The problem is not outside in, but inside out," said the
psychologist of 22 years.
"They feel they have no control of their lives. It is
their way of releasing their emotional pain to something outward
and physical."
Samaritans of Singapore does not track numbers of cases
over the years, but a spokesman said it noticed an increase between
last April and this March.
She added that the organisation tries to help individuals
in ways that fit their personal needs.
"We may ask them to come in for counselling or refer them
to the relevant organisation for more specific support."
While the experts interviewed by The Straits Times had
not seem a significant rise in self-mutilation cases, they said
there was a greater awareness of the issue among teachers, parents
and even the young people themselves.
Child psychiatrist Brian Yeo said many of them are
curable, as they are "still in touch with reality". He has treated
youngsters who have gone on to beat the habit.
"Ultimately, it's stress-related," he said. "They learn
alternative ways of stress relief."
But not all of them learn to cope with their emotions in
a healthier way.
One 16-year-old girl, who started cutting herself with a
penknife four years ago, told The Straits Times that it was
"impossible" to stop once you start".
"The pain distracts me from the emotional strain and pain
I go through," she said.
The teenager, who did not want to be named, said she does
not get along with her parents, especially her mother. The family
is receiving counselling.
Helplines
• Samaritans of Singapore:
1800-221-4444
• Singapore Association for
Mental Health:
1800-283-7019
• Care Corner Mandarin
Counselling Centre:
1800-353-5800
Additional Reporting by Sherri
Lee
Home, The Straits Times, Saturday ,July 28 2012, Pg B17
