http://ks.essortment.com/whatisselfmut_rfyb.htm
Called the new age anorexia, the practice of self-abuse or
mutilating behavior is on the rise. It is estimated that one out of
every 200 teen girls between the ages of 13 and 19 regularly
practice self-abusive behavior with a reported 2 million cases in
the US alone. But why? Why do these teens hurt themselves? To them,
its sacred, its a secret and its theirs.
There are several types of self-abusive and mutilating behaviors.
They include cutting, burning, wound interference and picking.
Cutting is just as it sounds. The teen will use a razor blade,
knife, broken mirror or a piece of glass what ever they can and
cut their skin allowing it to bleed openly for several minutes.
Burning is the practice of placing cigarettes, hot metal, lighters,
or lit matches to the skin and causing a burn. The practice of
wound interference is done by creating a wound, whether it is a
cut, burn, bruise, or bump, and preventing it from healing by
tearing, picking or pushing on the wound. Picking is done when a
self-mutilator literally picks at their skin until a wound is
created and bleeds.
Those that practice these self-abusive behaviors do so in an
attempt to release stress, pain, fear or anxiety. Generally
practiced by teen girls but affects at least 11 thousand boys a
year as well the teen may feel out of control regarding their
life and practice these behaviors in an attempt to regain that
control. Some teens state that it feels good to be in charge of
your own pain when so many others try to do it for you.
The teens that self-abuse are not the ones who get numerous tattoos
or piercings; it is very difficult to identify a person who
practices self-abusive behaviors out of a high school full of
teens. These teens are generally good students, have normal or
above normal appearances, are involved in school and after-school
activities and have parents who are involved in the community. Most
come from above average income levels and both parents may work
outside the home. However, as they want to keep their secret, these
teens will not usually participate in activities that require
changing clothes at school or will change in secret when no one
is around and may not have many close friends. Self-abusive teens
tend to internalize any conflicts with friends, school or parents
as they do not want to cause trouble for anyone. As a result, the
fear, anxiety, anger, loneliness, sadness, isolation, frustration
and emotional pain inside builds to a point where the teen feels
they will explode. To prevent this explosion and to deal with
the emotions they are feeling they cut, or burn, or pick in an
attempt to bleed them out. This to them is a release and a coping
mechanism; its how they deal with life and all it offers.
Signs and symptoms of self-abusive or mutilating behavior includes
the presence of fresh, healing and/or scars from old injuries, a
knife, lighter or matches in purse or book bag with no logically
explanation for its being there, making excuses for injuries,
wanting to do own laundry, locking self in bathroom for long
periods of time with water running and the presence of a new injury
upon leaving bathroom, blood or burn stains in the inside of
clothing as well as becoming overly defensive when approached about
the possibility of self-abusive behavior.
There is hope. Several organizations deal with self-abusive and
mutilating behavior in an attempt to help those who harm themselves
learn better coping mechanisms. Organizations such as Dont Cut,
Self-Injury, and Self Abuse Stops Now have both websites and
800 numbers where teens can get information and help. Treatment for
these types of behaviors may include individual and family therapy
as well as medications to lessen the anxiety and depression the
teen may be feeling.
