Many people know that some teenagers hurt themselves makings cuts on their body. This means they use something sharp, like a razor or knife, to make small cuts on their skin. It is a type of self injuries and cutting. Teens who self harmed may also suffer head injuries, like burns or bangs.
Many times, you noticed that they are pinching their skin with needles. It is difficult to know why teens hurt themselves. Learning that your teen is doing this leaves you feeling shocked and not sure what to do. That is why this article will guide such parents about the ways to prevent self injuries in teens.
Self-harm and self-injury: Overview
Self harm is common among teenagers. Around 18% of teenagers have self injured in a non‑suicidal manner at some stage in their lives. One-fifth of the population of teenagers harm themselves without aiming to commit suicide. This includes cutting, burning, biting, or hitting themselves, and severely scratching themselves. These various self-injuries types illustrate the many ways youth may engage in self-injurious behavior definition for coping.
“Few Parents feel prepared about how to respond if their child intentionally harms themselves,” says Nicholas J. Westers, Psy.D. ABPP, Clinical psychologist at Children’s Health at UT Southwestern and associate professor. It feels so painful to learn that your child has self injured. However, you can take help from several tips:
Help Your Teenager Prevent Self-Injury
When talking to your child about self injury, here are some relevant teenage self injuries statistics and information on teenage self injuries treatment to help further your understanding. Keep these tips in mind:
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Self-awareness is better than being too confident
When you hear “self-injury”, make sure to tolerate your reactions. It may come across as judgmental and non‑empathetic if you react negatively. Inadvertently, it may send the message to your child that they cannot talk openly to you about their struggle with self injuries
Dr. Westers encourages you to learn as much as you can about self-injury. The more you understand and remember that even adults sometimes make choices that are not in their best interest, the better you’ll be at showing empathy and helping others. Becoming aware of self-injury is an important first step.
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Listen well (rather than solving problems)
It cannot be easy to see your child suffer, whether it is physically or emotionally. Dr. Westers says it is understandable for parents, who want to fix their child’s problem and heal the pain. Ironically, healing can happen when parents listen to their teens rather than fix whatever is wrong.
Listening to your child without offering unnecessary advice will help them deal with their emotions. Asking good questions is part of being a good ear, so you can respectfully inquire about self-injuries. What can I do to prevent self-injuries?
- Guide Without Overreacting
When overwhelmed, children often turn to their parents for emotional support and a sense that everything is okay. You can teach them to be calm and peaceful by responding calmly. It can be the same for teens. Dr. Westers explains that many youths self-injure themselves to control their emotions when overwhelmed. Encourage your teen with talk to you instead of self‑injuring when feeling this way.
Prepare to respond calmly and help them to regulate their emotions. You may cause your child’s emotional vessels to become contaminated or overflow. This will make it harder for them to regulate their emotions or learn to self‑soothe.
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Use a healthy coping technique (rather than a punishment)
Your teen knows that you don’t approve of self-injuries, which is one thing that he is afraid of, at least. Many young people self-injure to punish themselves. Some parents believe that snatching their cell phones or other privileges can help them stop.
Dr. Westers says, “Don’t punish your child because they are punishing themselves.” Instead, express your concern over the behavior. Offer to help, talk, and provide emotional assistance when they cannot do so themselves. A supportive response might be, “It is very difficult for me to notice that you hurt yourself.” “I don’t like that you did this, but I am your loved one and always present for you. We’ll work through this together.”
Your child may learn from your lectures and punishments that telling you about self injuries is unsafe. They may continue this behaviour, but no longer inform you. Healthy communication with your parents is the best and most protective way for your child to cope.
Seeking help
Consider consulting a psychiatrist if your child is self-injuring. This is especially important if you are concerned about your teen’s safety. Your child can learn better coping skills from a therapist. Encourage them to seek extra support by meeting with one.
Professionals can help, identify self-injury causes and offer effective treatment. Dr. Westers concludes by saying, “Be willing to seek your professional support, as emotionally healthy parents are better able to support their children.
Children’s Health provides comprehensive care for adolescents requiring psychiatry or psychological services.
