Reasons for Self-Harm
Non Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI, or self-harm) is direct and deliberate destruction of one’s own body tissue in the absence of intent to die. It is when an individual does one or more of the following to their body:
Cutting
Burning
Carving words or symbols
Breaking bones
Hitting/punching objects
Piercing with sharps
Head banging
Biting
There are many biological and circumstantial reasons for NSSI. Biological reasons include:
Genetic predisposition for a transitory period (puberty to early adulthood)
Altered physiological reactivity (amygdala, pituitary and adrenal axis & serotonin dopamine and opioid systems)
Low cholesterol and fatty acids (Lipids)
Insufficient biological stress response
Circumstantial (Life) experiences include:
Maladaptive unhealthy attempt to regulate emotions.
Motivated to stop intense negative emotions. For example: anger, guilt, shame, deep sadness, hurt or fear of abandonment.
Motivated to change a sense of emotional numbness or non-being.
Self-harm, also referred to as cutting, often functions as an expression of pain. It can also be a release of tension, which creates a calming feeling. A lot of times an adolescent will participate in self-harm behaviors in order to feel physical pain in the place of the emotional pain they are experiencing.
Signs of Self-Harm
Recognizing the risks and behaviors associated with self-harm can be helpful for a parent or guardian. Knowing the signs can help you be proactive in reducing the chance of serious injury. If you are concerned your adolescent might be self-harming be on the lookout for:
Frequent “accidents”
Great amounts of alone time
Pervasive relationship problems
Persistent identity questioning
Behavioral and emotional instability
Impulsivity and unpredictability
Statements of helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness
Treatment for Self-Harm
There are few treatments designed specifically for cutting. If you suspect your adolescent might be partaking in self-harm activities, there is hope! Many treatment modalities offered by trained counselors can assist your adolescent in alleviating the core problem causing the harmful behavior.
Some of these treatments include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness Based Therapies
Problem Solving Therapy
Family Therapy
There are not one-size fits all answers to eliminating self-harm behavior. If you have an adolescent in your life that is struggling with cutting, or if you yourself are wrestling with this issue, we are here to help! Please feel free to email or contact us at 281-421-8714. We are here to support you and your family!