David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Self-Destructive Behavior Seen In More Adolescents
October 22, 2003
(The Cox News Service) -- Self-abuse, self-mutilation and self-injury are sometimes referred to as the "new age anorexia."
These self-destructive and often mutilating behaviors occur frequently in adolescents. It was reported in one study that the incidence of self-mutilation occurred at an estimated 1,800 out of 100,000 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35.
A common example of self-mutilating behavior is cutting the skin with a knife or razor until pain is felt and/or blood has been drawn. Other examples are burning the skin with metal or a lighted cigarette or picking the skin. These problematic behaviors are to be distinguished from tattooing or body piercing behaviors that are not typical of self-mutilation.
Those individuals seeking body adornment differ, psychologically speaking, from individuals practicing self-abuse as an attempt to escape from intense emotion or to achieve some level of focus.
Many individuals practicing self-abusive behavior report doing so in an attempt to relieve stress, pain and escape from fear or anxiety. Self-abusers who cut themselves are sometimes referred to as "cutters." Cutting sometimes has a "contagious" component, with group cutting occurring in settings such as prisons or even in school settings.
Cutting seems to appear more often in females than in males. Cutting also often co-exists with other problems such as eating disorders. Self-injurers are not usually planning suicide. However, tragedies, including serious medical complications or death, can and do occur.
Many reasons have been proposed to explain why people practice self-abusive behaviors.
Biological, psychological and social explanations have all been proposed as reasons to explain self-mutilation.
Like many problematic behaviors where the perceived need for control exists, self-mutilation and self-injurious behavior serves to express, validate or regulate emotional problems such as depression, tension, pain or anger.
Many treatment strategies are available and successful in treating self-injurious behavior.
Medication can be helpful in treating symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, which often accompany self-injurious behavior.
Individual and group psychotherapy are often useful in helping individuals explore alternatives to self-mutilation.
Family therapy and support groups can be of assistance for both the self-injurer and their families.
Copyright 2003 The Cox News Service.
October 22, 2003
(The Cox News Service) -- Self-abuse, self-mutilation and self-injury are sometimes referred to as the "new age anorexia."
These self-destructive and often mutilating behaviors occur frequently in adolescents. It was reported in one study that the incidence of self-mutilation occurred at an estimated 1,800 out of 100,000 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35.
A common example of self-mutilating behavior is cutting the skin with a knife or razor until pain is felt and/or blood has been drawn. Other examples are burning the skin with metal or a lighted cigarette or picking the skin. These problematic behaviors are to be distinguished from tattooing or body piercing behaviors that are not typical of self-mutilation.
Those individuals seeking body adornment differ, psychologically speaking, from individuals practicing self-abuse as an attempt to escape from intense emotion or to achieve some level of focus.
Many individuals practicing self-abusive behavior report doing so in an attempt to relieve stress, pain and escape from fear or anxiety. Self-abusers who cut themselves are sometimes referred to as "cutters." Cutting sometimes has a "contagious" component, with group cutting occurring in settings such as prisons or even in school settings.
Cutting seems to appear more often in females than in males. Cutting also often co-exists with other problems such as eating disorders. Self-injurers are not usually planning suicide. However, tragedies, including serious medical complications or death, can and do occur.
Many reasons have been proposed to explain why people practice self-abusive behaviors.
Biological, psychological and social explanations have all been proposed as reasons to explain self-mutilation.
Like many problematic behaviors where the perceived need for control exists, self-mutilation and self-injurious behavior serves to express, validate or regulate emotional problems such as depression, tension, pain or anger.
Many treatment strategies are available and successful in treating self-injurious behavior.
Medication can be helpful in treating symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, which often accompany self-injurious behavior.
Individual and group psychotherapy are often useful in helping individuals explore alternatives to self-mutilation.
Family therapy and support groups can be of assistance for both the self-injurer and their families.
Copyright 2003 The Cox News Service.
