Teens and self-injury
Being a teenager takes moxie. We’ve all been there and know it’s packed with inside out feelings that aren’t easily understood. On the best of days being a teen can take grit and guts.
When struggling with those feelings, some teens turn to self-injury, clinically referred to as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).
NSSI can occur when a teen feels a momentary need to escape. While it is not usually a desire to die, NSSI can increase the risk of suicide because of the emotional problems that trigger it1.
What does self-injury look like?
Self-injury can be cutting, head banging, burning the skin, hair pulling, scratching to the point of drawing blood, punching oneself, inserting objects into body openings, drinking harmful substances, or attempting to break bones.
Why hurt oneself?
Navigating confusing emotions is difficult for everyone; for a teen it can be downright overwhelming. Psychologists point to many reasons teens may turn to self-injury. Some include:
- Providing a distraction from overwhelming emotional pain
- Feeling something (anything) when overcome with loneliness, worthlessness, or emptiness
- Feeling a sense of control over the body, feelings, or situations
- Communicating feelings of stress or depression to the outside world
- Punishment for a perceived bad behavior
- Hearing about or seeing others do it on social media
What are signs a teen may be self-injuring?
Physical signs include scars, often in patterns, fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, burn marks, bite marks, or other wounds. These marks will typically be in different stages of healing.
Emotional and behavioral signs to look for include difficulties with relationships; impulsive, intense, and unexpected emotional changes; decreased academic performance; and increased isolation.
Other telltale signs also might be wearing long sleeves and pants to cover the injuries; finding blood stains on cloths or sheets, or finding hidden knives, razors, sharp objects, matches, and lighters; and getting frequent reports of accidental injuries from the teen or school.
Help a teenager who is self-injuring
If you’re concerned a teenager may be self-injuring, here are some immediate actions you can take.
- Call 911 if the teen’s wounds are bleeding excessively and the teen appears to be in distress or has fainted
- Have a conversation with the teen, taking a nonjudgmental approach. Do more listening than talking. Be prepared, however, for strong reactions and possible denial.
- Call a Mindful Advocate at 833-302-MIND. Available to Blue KC members, Mindful Advocates can offer in-the-moment support including in-person, text, online therapy, and virtual care support.
- Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline where you or your teen can connect immediately with a Lifeline counselor. Call or text 988, or chat.
There are healthy alternatives to self-injury and the conditions that trigger them. A professional can help a teen in need understand and work toward better health.
Resources
1National Center for Biotechnology Information, The Effect of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury on Suicidal Ideation: A Real-Time Monitoring Study
Healthchildren.org, When children and teens self-harm
Mayclinic.org, Self-injury/cutting
Sheppardpratt.org, What parents need to know about self-harm
