Teen Self-injury or Cutting

M.:
I had this same problem for many many years. In fact, it has only been since finding out I was pregnant for the first time 4 years ago that I was really able to "kick the habit". I have not even been tempted since then. But I know what it's like, so please feel free to email me if you need to talk about it: ____@____.com.

Um well I don't know if this helps but I used to do this when I was younger 15-19. I am now 24 and don't do it.I did it because it was a release for me I would get stressed out and wouldn't know how to handle it so that would make me feel better to see the blood running out of me like my stress could escape through it.Talk to her I never really had parents who were there for me.Maybe it would have helped.Thats all the opinion I can offer.

I have been hearing more and more about this lately. Your daughter needs to know that Jesus loves her and has a plan for her life. She is special to Him and I believe her heart is crying out to know Him. I am praying that Jesus would reveal Himself to her and show his great love for her! Great grace on you and your family.

Be blessed

My sister went through cutting as you describe. She was immediately taken to the hospitol by a very concerned mom, which worked well. Another option is to call social services family unit and ask for emergency mental health number to call. The hospitol had to keep her to make sure she wasnt suicidal. They had a councelor speak with her and ended up putting her in a residential treatment center for one year. She had a lot of internal issues that she needed the professional help to deal with. It worked very well for her, and she quickly went back to the A student who everyone loved. She was also eating very little at that time. Thank God she got help the next day. Time may be of the essence on this.

You neen to seek professional pyschiatric help for her immediately. This is a sign of serious depression.

Unfortunately I have experienced cutting with my teenage son who suffers from severe depression and anxiety. I never thought he would resort to such a thing because we had talked about it in the past and he was sure he would not resort to such a thing. However, when the suffering gets unbearable, cutting is a relief for them. It doesn't make sense to us, but to the ones in mental pain, it temporarily releives what they are feeling because all of their concentration gets directed to the physical pain.

Please seek help for your daughter even if she is reluctant. She will be more willing to talk to a professional and stranger before a parent no matter how close.

In order to help the situation with your teen, you have get to the root cause of the situation. You can try to monitor her in order to keep your teen from cutting herself, but that want fix the pain in the inside. I would suggest seeking professional counseling so that the reason for her wanting to hurt herself is exposed. Once you know the pain behind her actions, you can start dealing with the pain and the hurt that she is feeling, and then she can mentally and physcially begin to heal. Our kids just go through so much now days. Times are so different than when I was younger. Some of the things these teens have to worry about, were not even an issue when I was growing up. Also, it is important that you keep an open and healthy relationship with your daughter. I pray that all works out well with your daughter. Stay encourage.

My neice went through this. Get professional help now (not a school counselor). Your daughter needs therapy to learn other coping skills. Good luck.

Dr. Stephanie Glassman (psychologist) in Odenton does a lot of work with teenage girls who cut ###-###-####)

I second the recommendation for Dr. Doug Heinrichs (psychiatrist) in Columbia.

Best of luck to you and your daughter.

first and foremost get your daughter into therapy it may take a few times before she feels like she can open up to the therpist but keep going. make sure she knows she has support. i was one of those teenages that also was involved in the cutting world. for me it was a release from the emotions that i could not or didnt know how to express. so with all the pain hurt frustration that hurt on the inside cutting gave my pain something phyisical i could focus on i hurt b.c of my cut. it was a very shameful process for me no one really knew about it. and it gets to the point when the cutting only brings on more shame to yourself. make sure your daughter knows you love her, hug her she may resisit she may fight back but really all i wanted during my cutting was someone to love me. be strong it will get better

Find a good psychiatrist who specializes in teenagers and these issues NOW.
Best of luck to you.

M.,

I suggest seeking mental health counseling right away. There is something underlying that you daughter is not willing to talk about with the people currently in her life. The major risk in cutting is that the cuts, while often shallow may accidently hit a major vein or artery and cause death. Another risk is infections, due to using unsterilized cutting instruments.

I have worked with a few girls who cut and some are deeply disturbed young women, others are (ugh!) following a trend. Either way, it is important to get your daughter to a medical doctor--to have the cuts checked for infection, and to a psychologist--who specialized in treating adolescent women and cutting behaviors. I would be happy to supply you with some questions that would be helpful at ask when calling mental health professionals, so you that get someone that can help as soon as possible.

Good luck and keep strong.

J.

I just posted this very issue on one of my blogs www.bodyrules.com

My daughter is going through the same exact problem right now. We are just getting to see a psychiatrist. The wait list everywhere I look is very long. have you had the same problem? I can't see anyone until the end of this month or June 18th.