Recognizing self-harm in teen girls is crucial to providing the correct treatment options. Parents and guardians play an important role in identifying cases of self-harm in teens.
Before diving into the warning signs of self-harm, parents need to understand what self-harm is. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious mental health condition where teens deliberately injure themselves to cope with difficult situations. It is an unhealthy coping mechanism that teens develop to reduce emotional pain, and it should not be confused with attempted suicide because it is not done to end one’s life. However, it can be a precursor for suicidal ideation.
If your teen is engaging in deliberate self-injury, it is important to seek professional help immediately. Although it is different from attempted suicide, it can tragically lead to loss of life. This article aims to help parents, caregivers, and mental health practitioners gain useful insights on how to recognize self-harm in teens and provides treatment options and information on how Nexus Teen Academy can help teen girls who engage in NSSI or are struggling with self-harm relapse.
Common Forms of Self-Harm in Teen Girls
There are several ways that your teen girl can self-harm. The following are some of the ways your teen may injure themselves to cope with difficult emotions:
Cutting
Scratching
Rubbing
Burning their skin using cigarettes or lighters
Picking at scabs
Slapping or hitting themselves
Frequent hair-pulling when they feel frustrated
Excessive exercise
Purging their food
Consistent negative self-talk
If your teen exhibits any of these signs, it is important that you seek immediate medical intervention.
Physical Signs of Self-Harm in Teen Girls
Now that you know what forms self-harm takes, let us dive into the physical signs of self-harm in teen girls. The following are physical signs that your teen is self-harming:
Frequent and unexplainable accidents
If your teen girl is self-harming, they may have frequent bruising on their bodies. When asked about the injuries, they usually say they fell or had a minor accident. As a parent or guardian, if your teen has frequent unexplainable bruises, it may be a sign that they are self-harming.
Unusual patterns of bruising or scarring
Teens who cut as a form of self-harm may have unusual patterns of scarring on their skin. Their forearms may have longitudinal or lateral cuts, especially close to the wrist. Teen cutting is the most common form of self-harm in adolescents. Many girls prefer to cut since it is easy to conceal from parents.
Wounds that never seem to heal completely
If your teen is self-harming, they will likely have some wounds that never seem to heal. Many teens pick at wounds as a form of self-injury. They may also prefer to cut the same spot to reduce the number of scars they have on their bodies.
Bald spots due to frequent hair-pulling
Hair-pulling is also a common way to self-harm. If your teen has missing patches of hair that they cannot explain, they may be engaging in self-harm.
Concealment of Injuries
Most teenagers are ashamed that they self-harm. As a result, they are likely to conceal their injuries to avoid being questioned. A sure indicator of self-harm is your teen insisting on wearing long-sleeved articles of clothing even when it is uncomfortably hot. They may also avoid wearing clothes that show their arms or legs since these are the common sites of teen cutting.
Emotional and Behavioral Warning Signs
Sometimes, you may notice emotional and behavioral changes before seeing the physical signs. Some emotional and behavioral warning signs of teen self-harm include the following:
Sudden social withdrawal
Teen girls who self-harm may suddenly withdraw from their social circles and spend time in isolation. This is because they feel guilty and do not want anyone to know they are self-injured. If your teen does not want to meet their friends suddenly, it may be a sign that they are self-harming.
Increased irritability and mood swings
Teens who self-harm have a hard time managing and regulating their emotions. Since they have developed a negative coping mechanism, they are more likely to be irritable and impulsive. Irritability may stem from the fact that they cannot self-harm there and then to relieve themselves.
Secretive behavior
Teens who self-harm tend to be secretive since they do not want their parents or friends to find out about their behavior. It is crucial that, as parents or guardians, you maintain open communication with your teens to prevent secretive behavior.
Challenges maintaining friendships
If your teen self-harms, they may likely find it difficult to maintain interpersonal relationships. This stems from isolation and secretive behavior that may cause their relationships to break down.
Psychological Indicators of Self-Harm in Teen Girls
Some cognitive and psychological indicators of self-harm in teens include the following:
Hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Due to emotional dysregulation, teens who self-harm may feel hopeless when faced with difficult situations. This hopelessness and helplessness is what drives them to injure themselves since they think that is the only option available.
Overwhelming guilt and shame. Guilt and shame often accompany self-harm. If your teen self-injures, they likely feel ashamed since they recognize that it is a negative coping mechanism.
Low self-worth. Self-worth issues and body image issues may cause and even worsen self-harm in teen girls as it is tied to their self-worth. When your teen has low self-worth, they may resort to self-harm as a temporary relief from negative emotions.
Co-occurring mental health conditions. Self-harm may be a result of co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. It is very common to see teens with bipolar engaging in self-harm to regulate their manic and depressive episodes.
How to Approach a Teen You Suspect Is Self-Harming
What should you do if you suspect that your teen is self-harming? How do you approach them? How do you address the issue?
These are some of the questions parents or guardians ask themselves when faced with the issue. Here are some things you can do to help your teen girl:
Create a Safe Environment
When addressing self-harm, it is crucial that you create a safe environment where your teen can share their issues without judgment. Discussing self-harm can be difficult for those involved. Remember that teens are sensitive and can shut down when judged or ridiculed.
Create an environment where they feel physically and emotionally safe by establishing trust. Talk to your teen in a calm tone while choosing your words carefully. Do not use overly harsh words that may make them feel unsafe. After trust has been established, build rapport by asking open-ended questions. These questions show that you want to understand the root cause of your teen’s problems. Once your teen feels safe, they will likely open up about their struggles and ask for your guidance on navigating difficult situations.
Use Active Listening Skills
Sensitive topics like self-harm require effective communication skills like active listening. Active listening involves setting aside time to address an issue without distractions. When talking to your teen, let them lead the conversation. Listen to their problems and use a non-judgmental tone when giving them advice. You should also ensure that your posture and body language is welcoming and non-threatening. Follow along by asking for clarity on some issues to make your teen feel seen and heard. Active listening will build trust between you and your teen.
Be Supportive
When you want to address such a sensitive topic as self-harm, you need to show your teen that you support their well-being. When they ask you for advice, give them several options for navigating difficult situations and let them choose the most appropriate option. Offer support when they need your help, and ensure you provide input on healthier coping mechanisms.
Steps to Take After Recognizing Self-Harm in Your Teenage Girl
After you recognize that your teen is self-harming, you need to do the following:
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, self-harm requires special interventions. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to seek professional help for your teen girl. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer specialized treatment for teens who self-harm. Our highly qualified staff utilizes an array of treatment options to help your teen’s mental health improve. Our qualified therapists and counselors offer treatment modalities like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), individual therapy, group therapy, and holistic therapy options to help your teen develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Evidence-based treatment modalities are also used in our residential treatment program for teens in Arizona. Here, your teen will be taught to identify negative behavioral patterns that make them self-harm. After identifying these patterns, they are taught to change their outlook and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Holistic therapy approaches also help teens find hobbies that can help them stop self-harming.
Monitoring Your Teen’s Behavior
After recognizing self-harm, it is important to monitor your teen’s behavior. Ensure they feel supported as they receive treatment. You should also ensure they attend all therapy sessions and follow up on their progress. Check up on them frequently and offer continuing support throughout the process.
Teen Self-Harm Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
Early recognition of self-harm is important. It enables parents to act fast and get their teens the help they need. You can recognize whether your teen is self-harming if they exhibit secretive behavior, unexplained bruises and cuts, unusual scarring patterns, and wounds that never seem to heal.
Other signs that you can use to recognize self-harm include sudden social withdrawal, breakdown of interpersonal relationships, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and increased irritability. If your teen self-harms, it is important that you address the issue immediately. To effectively address self-harm, you need to create a safe and supportive environment, use active listening skills, and seek professional help for your teen. Contact us today to get your teen the help they need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do teens self-harm if they are not suicidal?
Teens self-harm because they struggle with emotional dysregulation. During adolescence, teens face a number of challenges that they can find difficult to cope with. Self-harm is used as a way of relieving negative emotions since physical injuries make the brain release endorphins, which can offer temporary relief from pain. It is important to note that if your teen’s self-harm behavior goes on for long periods, it increases the risk of suicide.
Can self-harm be a phase, or will it continue without intervention?
Self-harm is not a phase. Parents and guardians should not ignore or diminish signs of self-injury since it is indicative of underlying emotional and psychological challenges. It is critical that parents intervene as soon as they recognize self-harm patterns.
Should I confront my teen if I find evidence of self-harm?
While parents are encouraged to address the issue of self-harm, confrontation is the wrong approach. Self-harm is a sensitive topic that should be addressed with a great deal of care. Parents should create a safe environment, use active listening skills, be non-judgmental, and be supportive if, their teen self-harms.
Is self-harm more common in girls than boys?
Self-harm is common among all teens. Some studies suggest that self-harm is more prevalent in girls, affecting about 30% of all high school girls. Self-harm also reduces with age and is more prevalent in sexual minority groups.
Can self-harm be treated without professional help?
While self-harm reduces with age, it is crucial to seek professional help if your teen has Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI).
How to Recognize Self-Harm in Teen Girls
Published By nexus_admin
Published On November 25, 2024
Table of Contents
Recognizing self-harm in teen girls is crucial to providing the correct treatment options. Parents and guardians play an important role in identifying cases of self-harm in teens.
Before diving into the warning signs of self-harm, parents need to understand what self-harm is. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious mental health condition where teens deliberately injure themselves to cope with difficult situations. It is an unhealthy coping mechanism that teens develop to reduce emotional pain, and it should not be confused with attempted suicide because it is not done to end one’s life. However, it can be a precursor for suicidal ideation.
If your teen is engaging in deliberate self-injury, it is important to seek professional help immediately. Although it is different from attempted suicide, it can tragically lead to loss of life. This article aims to help parents, caregivers, and mental health practitioners gain useful insights on how to recognize self-harm in teens and provides treatment options and information on how Nexus Teen Academy can help teen girls who engage in NSSI or are struggling with self-harm relapse.
Common Forms of Self-Harm in Teen Girls
There are several ways that your teen girl can self-harm. The following are some of the ways your teen may injure themselves to cope with difficult emotions:
If your teen exhibits any of these signs, it is important that you seek immediate medical intervention.
Physical Signs of Self-Harm in Teen Girls
Now that you know what forms self-harm takes, let us dive into the physical signs of self-harm in teen girls. The following are physical signs that your teen is self-harming:
Frequent and unexplainable accidents
If your teen girl is self-harming, they may have frequent bruising on their bodies. When asked about the injuries, they usually say they fell or had a minor accident. As a parent or guardian, if your teen has frequent unexplainable bruises, it may be a sign that they are self-harming.
Unusual patterns of bruising or scarring
Teens who cut as a form of self-harm may have unusual patterns of scarring on their skin. Their forearms may have longitudinal or lateral cuts, especially close to the wrist. Teen cutting is the most common form of self-harm in adolescents. Many girls prefer to cut since it is easy to conceal from parents.
Wounds that never seem to heal completely
If your teen is self-harming, they will likely have some wounds that never seem to heal. Many teens pick at wounds as a form of self-injury. They may also prefer to cut the same spot to reduce the number of scars they have on their bodies.
Bald spots due to frequent hair-pulling
Hair-pulling is also a common way to self-harm. If your teen has missing patches of hair that they cannot explain, they may be engaging in self-harm.
Concealment of Injuries
Most teenagers are ashamed that they self-harm. As a result, they are likely to conceal their injuries to avoid being questioned. A sure indicator of self-harm is your teen insisting on wearing long-sleeved articles of clothing even when it is uncomfortably hot. They may also avoid wearing clothes that show their arms or legs since these are the common sites of teen cutting.
Emotional and Behavioral Warning Signs
Sometimes, you may notice emotional and behavioral changes before seeing the physical signs. Some emotional and behavioral warning signs of teen self-harm include the following:
Sudden social withdrawal
Teen girls who self-harm may suddenly withdraw from their social circles and spend time in isolation. This is because they feel guilty and do not want anyone to know they are self-injured. If your teen does not want to meet their friends suddenly, it may be a sign that they are self-harming.
Increased irritability and mood swings
Teens who self-harm have a hard time managing and regulating their emotions. Since they have developed a negative coping mechanism, they are more likely to be irritable and impulsive. Irritability may stem from the fact that they cannot self-harm there and then to relieve themselves.
Secretive behavior
Teens who self-harm tend to be secretive since they do not want their parents or friends to find out about their behavior. It is crucial that, as parents or guardians, you maintain open communication with your teens to prevent secretive behavior.
Challenges maintaining friendships
If your teen self-harms, they may likely find it difficult to maintain interpersonal relationships. This stems from isolation and secretive behavior that may cause their relationships to break down.
Psychological Indicators of Self-Harm in Teen Girls
Some cognitive and psychological indicators of self-harm in teens include the following:
How to Approach a Teen You Suspect Is Self-Harming
What should you do if you suspect that your teen is self-harming? How do you approach them? How do you address the issue?
These are some of the questions parents or guardians ask themselves when faced with the issue. Here are some things you can do to help your teen girl:
Create a Safe Environment
When addressing self-harm, it is crucial that you create a safe environment where your teen can share their issues without judgment. Discussing self-harm can be difficult for those involved. Remember that teens are sensitive and can shut down when judged or ridiculed.
Create an environment where they feel physically and emotionally safe by establishing trust. Talk to your teen in a calm tone while choosing your words carefully. Do not use overly harsh words that may make them feel unsafe. After trust has been established, build rapport by asking open-ended questions. These questions show that you want to understand the root cause of your teen’s problems. Once your teen feels safe, they will likely open up about their struggles and ask for your guidance on navigating difficult situations.
Use Active Listening Skills
Sensitive topics like self-harm require effective communication skills like active listening. Active listening involves setting aside time to address an issue without distractions. When talking to your teen, let them lead the conversation. Listen to their problems and use a non-judgmental tone when giving them advice. You should also ensure that your posture and body language is welcoming and non-threatening. Follow along by asking for clarity on some issues to make your teen feel seen and heard. Active listening will build trust between you and your teen.
Be Supportive
When you want to address such a sensitive topic as self-harm, you need to show your teen that you support their well-being. When they ask you for advice, give them several options for navigating difficult situations and let them choose the most appropriate option. Offer support when they need your help, and ensure you provide input on healthier coping mechanisms.
Steps to Take After Recognizing Self-Harm in Your Teenage Girl
After you recognize that your teen is self-harming, you need to do the following:
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, self-harm requires special interventions. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to seek professional help for your teen girl. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer specialized treatment for teens who self-harm. Our highly qualified staff utilizes an array of treatment options to help your teen’s mental health improve. Our qualified therapists and counselors offer treatment modalities like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), individual therapy, group therapy, and holistic therapy options to help your teen develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Evidence-based treatment modalities are also used in our residential treatment program for teens in Arizona. Here, your teen will be taught to identify negative behavioral patterns that make them self-harm. After identifying these patterns, they are taught to change their outlook and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Holistic therapy approaches also help teens find hobbies that can help them stop self-harming.
Monitoring Your Teen’s Behavior
After recognizing self-harm, it is important to monitor your teen’s behavior. Ensure they feel supported as they receive treatment. You should also ensure they attend all therapy sessions and follow up on their progress. Check up on them frequently and offer continuing support throughout the process.
Teen Self-Harm Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
Early recognition of self-harm is important. It enables parents to act fast and get their teens the help they need. You can recognize whether your teen is self-harming if they exhibit secretive behavior, unexplained bruises and cuts, unusual scarring patterns, and wounds that never seem to heal.
Other signs that you can use to recognize self-harm include sudden social withdrawal, breakdown of interpersonal relationships, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and increased irritability. If your teen self-harms, it is important that you address the issue immediately. To effectively address self-harm, you need to create a safe and supportive environment, use active listening skills, and seek professional help for your teen. Contact us today to get your teen the help they need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Teens self-harm because they struggle with emotional dysregulation. During adolescence, teens face a number of challenges that they can find difficult to cope with. Self-harm is used as a way of relieving negative emotions since physical injuries make the brain release endorphins, which can offer temporary relief from pain. It is important to note that if your teen’s self-harm behavior goes on for long periods, it increases the risk of suicide.
Self-harm is not a phase. Parents and guardians should not ignore or diminish signs of self-injury since it is indicative of underlying emotional and psychological challenges. It is critical that parents intervene as soon as they recognize self-harm patterns.
While parents are encouraged to address the issue of self-harm, confrontation is the wrong approach. Self-harm is a sensitive topic that should be addressed with a great deal of care. Parents should create a safe environment, use active listening skills, be non-judgmental, and be supportive if, their teen self-harms.
Self-harm is common among all teens. Some studies suggest that self-harm is more prevalent in girls, affecting about 30% of all high school girls. Self-harm also reduces with age and is more prevalent in sexual minority groups.
While self-harm reduces with age, it is crucial to seek professional help if your teen has Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI).