Teen Cutting: Understanding Why

Being a teenager is a time of wideswept changes. Hormones are surging, and emotions are tospy turvey. Consequently, understanding teenager behavior can be difficult and trying for parents. According to DiscoveryHealth.com, health officials report teen cutting has doubled in the last three years. Andrew Levander, clinical director of self-injury treatment program, believes teen cutting has reached epidemic proportions. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Times newspaper claims teen cutting is one of the fastest-growing adolescent behavioral problems. Over the past year, 1 in 7 females and 1 in 5 males have engaged in some type of self-injurious behavior.

Cutting is a self-injurious behavior that is caused by the inability to cope with intense stress, emotional pain, or relationships. In addition to cutting, teenagers may self-injure themselves in other ways. These ways can include burning, skin picking, hitting, hair-pulling, breaking bones, and interfering with a wound healing. Teens usually self-injure themselves in areas easily reached including the hands, forearms, stomach, legs, and feet. Although these behaviors are self-abusive, in most cases, they are not associated with suicide attempts.  

The most common ages for self-injurious behavior to begin is between 10 and 14 years of age. Occurring across all classes, races, and sex, it knows no boundaries. In fact, many famous people have been cutters --- Angelina Jolie, Princess Dianna, and Johnny Depp to name a few. Although some sources state cutting is more frequent among girls, others state it occurs equally in females and males. If cutting is more frequent in females, experts believe it is because women have a tendency to internalize anger whereas men externalize anger.

Self-injury occurs when teens do not have adequate coping skills and may have poor impulse control. According Ruta Mazelis, editor of the newsletter Cutting Edge, cutters are often high-achievers and perfectionists. Children who have been physically or sexually abused are also at risk. It is estimated that 50% of cutters have been sexually abused. Self-injury may also be a symptom of borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Although it may be difficult to understand why teens cut, there are several explanations. Teens usually learn about cutting from a friend or in the news. It may first begin  in response to a traumatic event. A loved one dies or parents divorce. Andrew Levander, clinical director of a self-injury treatment center, says it's a form of self-medication. Many teens claim it makes them feel in control. Some claim it deadens the pain; the physical pain overides the emotional pain. Some claim it makes them feel less numb and more alive. Others cut to punish themselves. Still yet, some claim it gives them a high. Apparently, endophins are released after cutting. This may also be part of the reason cutting can become addictive. Like a drug, a tolerance is reached. They have to cut more and more to achieve the same high. Once a teen starts cutting, unless they have had successful treatment, it usually carries on into adulthood.

Regardless of the reasons teens cut, it is usually a secretive behavior. If you suspect your teen is cutting or engaging in other forms of self-injury, look for the following signs.

• Sharp objects, bandaids, or antibiotic lotion in their room.
• Unexplained scratches on their body, especially arms.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts during warm weather.
• Spending alot of time by themselves.
• One of your child's friends is cutting.

Discovering your teen is cutting can be alarming. However, anger, denial, or self-blame will not resolve the problem. Be supportive. Otherwise, they may turn away from you. Cutting can be a cry for help. It is an indication there is a deeper problem. Get professional help. Anti-depressant medications may help. Finally, to break the cycle of cutting, teens not only need to understand the underlying causes of why they cut, but the self-injurious behavior needs to be replaced with  positive coping strategies. Otherwise, another negative behavior like drug usuage may take it's place.