Around 8–15% of young people self-harm in their lifetime. So, if you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, know that they’re not alone.
Self-harm is when someone intentionally hurts themselves, and this can take many forms. While self-harm is mainly thought of as deliberate physical injuries, things like alcoholism, restrictive eating, or risky sex can be considered self-harm, too.
But what might push someone to hurt themselves? Someone may self-harm as an attempt to cope with overwhelming feelings. Some people say that self-harm gives them a temporary release from their emotions, while others say it helps them get a sense of gaining back control.
However, whatever the reason for self-harm, it’s important to know that self-harm can be dangerous, and it’s often a sign of something deeper going on. If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, it’s important to seek support as soon as possible. You deserve to feel better.
Whatever your circumstances, you don’t have to face self-harm on your own. Mission Prep offers residential treatment support for those trying to overcome self-harm. Contact us today at (866) 735-4133 for support.
If you’re worried about a teen you know, you can begin to support them by looking out for some signals and learning how self-harming teens often behave. There tends to be a pattern of physical and emotional signs of self-harm, which include:
You might notice frequent scars, burns, or scratches on their skin. Your teen might also cover their skin with clothing even when it’s hot outside or use bandages frequently. They may offer no explanation or give explanations that you find odd or unlikely.
Self-harm is usually done in areas of the body that are easily covered. For example, their forearms, stomach, or thighs. So, it’s worth keeping an eye on these areas in particular if you are concerned.
Your teen might be acting secretively, withdrawn from family and friends, or acting irritably. Of course, these signs can also be typical of adolescence, so it comes down to knowing your child and their normal behaviors and emotional state. If they’re acting drastically differently from normal, whether this is through withdrawing or showing outward behaviors, these are important to pay attention to.
If you’ve noticed some of these signs or are simply worried about someone and want to know what’s going on, try to approach your child with curiosity and a non-judgemental attitude. You can start by saying, “Hey, I noticed you’ve been acting a little different lately – I saw [state their different behavior]. Is everything going ok?”
So, what causes self-harm? It’s hard to know exactly what’s going on in someone’s head, and self-harm isn’t straightforward. However, we do know some factors that occur in people who self-harm that give us an idea of how they might be feeling.
These teen self-harm risk factors not only help us understand why they use this particular coping mechanism, but they also highlight the areas of the teen’s life that need to be targeted when trying to support them.
Self-harm in young adults and teens can be linked to mental health conditions like:
All of these conditions could play a role in a teenager or young adult engaging in self-harm or self-harming behaviors. It may be that they feel it helps them cope with emotional pain, provides them with a sense of control, or serves as a form of self-punishment when they’re feeling guilty.
Alongside or separately from mental health conditions, the teen you’re worrying about may be experiencing one or more of the following:
Young people are vulnerable to these societal, peer, and academic pressures because they’re in education, exploring limits and relationships, and exposed to social media.
In addition, they’re at a particularly emotionally vulnerable place, as they’re in a period of their development where they’re seeking independence and distance from their family, while also figuring out:
This stage often involves some rebelliousness and conflict as they grow and develop from a child who is dependent on their parents for their survival into a self-sufficient adult. Inevitably, this will be challenging for everyone involved, creating tension in relationships and stress on the young person while they experience so much change.
People who experience adverse childhood experiences, such as bereavement, financial hardship, or abuse, are more at risk of trying risky behaviors (such as substance abuse and unprotected sex). These behaviors often co-occur with self-harm, as they show a general difficulty regulating emotions.
Studies show that young people who self-harm feel a great deal of shame. The fear they may be judged or that they won’t be understood can keep teens locked in a cycle of self-harm and isolation, as they become increasingly reluctant to reach out and ask for help. As a result, their relationships may become even more strained.
A persistent state of mental distress, worsened by harboring a painful secret like self-harm, can make it extremely difficult for a person to fully concentrate. If things continue to spiral, their academic work may be affected.
Repeated self-harm also carries physical health risks like scarring and infection, so it’s vital that self-harm is treated quickly.
Self-harm is intrinsically linked to emotional, academic, and social challenges. For example, a teenager may be struggling at school due to ADHD or a distracting health issue.
It’s important for parents and caregivers to be aware of whatever co-occurring challenges are going on so that a self-harming teen is treated effectively. Professional treatment can address the wider factors in the teen’s life, as well as the self-harm itself.
Identifying teen self-harm isn’t easy, but it’s reassuring to know that many teens and their families seek help for teen self-harm. To help your child speak out about self-harm, it’s important to create a stigma and judgment-free space. You can do this by:
While all of this is vital to support your teen, it isn’t the whole picture. Seeking support from a healthcare or mental health professional is fundamental to your child getting the support they need.
The first step to this is a professional evaluation, which would involve an interview to identify underlying factors involved in your child’s self-harm (e.g., mental health issues). This would help determine risk levels and develop a care plan for the teen who is self-harming.
After an evaluation, the healthcare professional will point you in the right direction to the best course of treatment for your child. This is often hugely personal and dependent on your circumstances.
Thankfully, there are many treatment options available for self-harming teens, ranging from at-home preventative measures to residential inpatient care.
Residential self-harm treatment offers a safe and structured environment where staff are trained to manage crises. In these facilities, young people can receive support for their self-harm and co-occurring mental health issues.
Here at Mission Prep, we offer residential treatment for cutting and self-harm. We provide patients with a range of therapy types and support so that young people can build their self-esteem and learn how to regulate their emotions in healthy, more effective ways.
For severe cases of self-harm, inpatient mental health treatment may be the best option. This is similar to residential treatment but with 24/7 monitoring and different psychotherapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and art therapy.
If you’re extremely worried about your child’s safety and you’re unable to care for them 24/7, inpatient mental health treatment can be a very useful option.
As an inpatient, a teen engaging in self-harm may be offered:
There are several coping strategies for teens who are self-harming. Some immediate self-harm alternatives include:
While these alternatives will provide temporary relief, the long-term aim of recovery from self-harm should be to improve the way the person manages their emotions.
So, it’s not only important to seek therapeutic support but to develop a toolkit of strategies that help support your child. These could include mindfulness, exercise, and communicating their feelings in healthy ways.
Additionally, strong and supportive networks of friends and family can be invaluable for teens struggling with self-harm. Not only will they be able to rely on this in the future, but fulfilling relationships are a cornerstone of day-to-day well-being.
Though self-harm is a distressing topic, recovery is certainly possible with the right care. If you’re concerned about a teen or young adult you know, and you feel they would benefit from inpatient or residential treatment, reach out to us here at Mission Prep. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions.
Contact us today at (866) 735-4133.
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