Why Do Adolescents Deliberately Hurt Themselves?
Self-cutting has become a highlighted topic within the American media, as well as a growing concern for parents. Larry Brown, MD, an expert on adolescent risk behaviors and self-mutilation, as well as a researcher for the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center, offers information about this destructive practice. Why do adolescents self-cut? • Adolescents may deliberately harm themselves for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes teenagers cut themselves to be part of a peer group. Often, self-cutting is a means of coping with emotional distress. It may be a call for help because of emotional issues or suicidal thoughts. Is there a particular age or catalyst for self-cutting? • Self-cutting can happen at any age. There are many reasons for self-cutting and for each person the catalyst may be different. A stressful event or the need to be part of a group may cause vulnerable teens to inflict self-harm. Do self-cutters tend to fit a “profile”? • There is no specific “profile” for self-cu
