Teen Self-harm, especially through cutting, is a common phenomenon in Arizona teens. As a parent or guardian in Arizona, it can be concerning to watch your teen engage in risky behavior to deal with underlying mental health conditions. In Arizona, statistics show that mental health challenges among teens are on the rise. According to recent data, more than 17% of high school students in Arizona have reported engaging in self-harm. Many teens who cut themselves intentionally with sharp objects begin at around 14 years old, and the behavior decreases as they get older.
In Arizona, If your teen is cutting, it’s crucial to act empathetically and seek professional help as soon as possible. By having honest and open communication with your teen boy or teen girl, ensuring their safety, and boosting their self-esteem, you can help your teen navigate through this challenging time. Nexus Teen Academy offers several support systems, especially in communities like Cave Creek, AZ, to assist families in managing and overcoming teen self-harm behaviors. At our trusted residential facility, we provide evidence-based therapies like teen Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and teen Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), both of which are effective in treating self-harm behaviors.
What is Teen Cutting?
Clinically known as Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), teen cutting is a form of self-harm where teens intentionally cause harm to themselves through the use of sharp objects such as knives and razors. It differs from attempted suicide since teens who engage in cutting have no intention of killing themselves. Cutting is by far the most common form of self-harm, accounting for about 45% of all cases of self-harm. NSSI is more prevalent in girls than in boys, with 65% of surveyed teens being girls. LGBTQ+ teens are also more likely to cut, with bisexual girls being the most vulnerable of the group. About 47% of the bisexual teens surveyed reported engaging in self-harm at least once in their lifetime.
If your teen engages in self-harm, they are most likely to injure their hands, wrists, thighs, back of their legs, and their stomach. They prefer sites that are easy to cover using baggy clothes or bandages.
Common Misconceptions About Teen Cutting
There are several misconceptions about teen cutting. Some of the most common myths and misconceptions include the following:
Only females self-injure. Many people believe that self-harm is a female issue. This is not true. While it is more prevalent among females, studies suggest that self-harm occurs almost equally among genders and demographics.
Self-harm is a suicide attempt. Teens who cut do not have an intention of ending their own lives. That is the main difference between suicide attempts and self-harm. NSSI involves small injuries, while suicide attempts are more lethal.
Teens who self-harm are crazy and should be institutionalized. This is not true. Teens self-harm for various reasons, with the most common being emotional dysregulation and underlying mental health disorders. This does not mean that they are crazy.
Teens who self-harm are just seeking attention. Self-harm is a serious mental health concern that should not be dismissed as attention-seeking behavior. It is a negative coping mechanism that mental health disorders, untreated trauma, gender identity, or emotional dysregulation can cause. This misconception diminishes teen struggles and makes them less likely to seek help.
Anyone who cuts is a goth. This is untrue, as self-harm affects all groups of teens almost equally.
Cutting is the only way to self-injure. There are various ways of self-harm, including burning, rubbing, hitting, overexercising, and embedding objects into the skin.
Reason Why Arizona’s Teen Cut Themselves
While reasons for teen boy vs Teen girls cutting may slightly differ, it generally comes down to emotional dysregulation, underlying mental health conditions, and unchecked trauma. When your teen engages in self-harm, their bodies release endorphins, which can diminish pain and negative feelings. The rush of endorphins reduces the pain associated with cutting while simultaneously helping your teen relax and think clearly.
Signs and Symptoms of Teen Cutting
If your teen cuts, they will likely hide their injuries from you. They may start wearing long-sleeved clothing even when it is hot or whenever they are leaving their room. Some common signs of teen cutting include the following:
Always wearing baggy or loose clothes that cover their arms and wrists
Scars of a similar size, shape, or cluster on their wrists, forearms, thighs, and stomach
Frequent and unexplainable accidents that lead to new scratches
Bruising and swelling
Withdrawal from social settings
Cutting paraphernalia like razor blades, pocket knives, and scissors
Low-self worth
Impulsivity
Depression
Loneliness and isolation
Decline in academic performance Irritability
Fatigue and dizziness
Risks and Consequences of Arizona Teen Cutting
There are potential risks associated with untreated teen cutting. If your teen cuts, they are likely to experience physical, emotional, and social consequences. Some of the consequences related to NSSI include the following:
Physical Risks
If your teen cuts, they are highly likely to have infected wounds and collapsed veins. Since teens regularly cut the same spot, the wounds are unlikely to heal completely, making them much more prone to infection. Cutting the same place may also cause constant damage to the vein walls, leading to collapsed veins.
Permanent nerve damage is also a consequence of teen cutting. Constant severing of nerves without healing may lead to irreversible and permanent nerve damage.
Emotional and Psychological Risks
Teens who cut may experience long-term psychological and emotional consequences such as major depression and suicidal ideation. If your teen has been cutting for a while, are at a higher risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Self-harm may also lead to severe feelings of regret, shame, and guilt, which worsen underlying mental health conditions, leading to a vicious cycle.
Social and Self-Image Issues
One of the major consequences of teen cutting is deteriorating interpersonal relationships and social-image issues. Teens who cut tend to withdraw from social interactions, which leads to the weakening of their relationships. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, social withdrawal may affect your teen’s relationships with friends and family.
What to Do if Your Teen is Cutting
Finding out that your teen is engaging in self-harm, specifically cutting, can be an overwhelming experience. It’s important to address the situation with care, empathy, and an actionable plan.
Arizona parents should be sensitive to gender differences when addressing NSSI behaviors in their teens. Tailoring your approach based on gender differences can improve communication and understanding and encourage your teens to seek the help they need.
Differences in NSSI Behavior Between Boys and Girls
1. Types of NSSI Behavior Among Teen Boy and Teen Girl
Teen Girls: Research indicates that girls are more likely to cut, scratch, or hair-pull as forms of NSSI. Girls tend to harm parts of their bodies that are easier to hide, such as the thighs or wrists. They often use NSSI as a way to cope with emotional pain, feelings of inadequacy, or intense sadness
Teen Boys: Boys, on the other hand, might engage in more aggressive forms of self-harm, such as hitting themselves, punching walls, or burning. Boys are sometimes more prone to using NSSI as an outlet for anger or frustration rather than sadness. They may also use riskier forms of NSSI that could lead to more severe injuries
2. Frequency and Intent of Self-Harm in Teen Boy and Teen Girl
Girls: Girls generally report higher frequencies of NSSI and are more likely to do it as a form of emotional regulation. They might engage in NSSI more regularly as a way to express or manage feelings they find overwhelming.
Boys: Boys may engage in NSSI less frequently but in more extreme forms. Boys might use NSSI as a form of self-punishment or as a response to anger, and they may not always recognize the behavior as problematic.
How Parents Should Approach NSSI in Boys and Girls
1. How to Start Communication
Girls: When approaching a daughter who is engaging in NSSI, it’s important to create an environment where she feels safe to express her emotions. Open-ended questions and a focus on emotional support can be effective. It’s crucial to avoid judgmental language and instead focus on understanding her emotional state.
Example Approach: “I’ve noticed some marks on your arms, and I’m really worried about you. How have you been feeling lately?”
Boys: With boys, it may be necessary to approach the conversation differently, perhaps by initially focusing on actions and behaviors rather than emotions. Encouraging boys to talk about their stressors or what makes them angry can help them open up.
Example Approach: “I’ve noticed you’ve been frustrated lately. Let’s talk about what’s been going on. I’m here to help.”
2. Seeking Help in Arizona
Girls: Girls may benefit from therapies that focus on emotional regulation, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). These therapies help them develop healthier coping mechanisms for dealing with emotional distress.
Boys: Boys might respond better to approaches incorporating physical activity or more direct, action-oriented strategies in therapy. For example, therapies that involve building problem-solving skills or managing anger might be more effective.
3. Encourage Teens Involvement in Therapy
Girls: Involving girls in activities that promote self-expression, such as art therapy or journaling, can be particularly beneficial. These activities can provide a safe outlet for expressing emotions without resorting to NSSI.
Boys: Encouraging boys to engage in sports or physical activities as part of their therapy can help them manage their emotions constructively. Boys may also benefit from group therapy settings where they can relate to others with similar experiences.
4. Monitoring and Safety
Girls: It’s important for girls to monitor any tools or objects they might use for cutting and have open conversations about the dangers of these behaviors.
Boys: With boys, parents should also monitor for any behaviors that indicate self-punishment or extreme risk-taking and address these behaviors directly.
Arizona Resources for Teen Self Harm Immediate Support
Nexus Teen Academy (Cave Creek, AZ): A facility that specializes in adolescent mental health and therapy, providing personalized care and evidence-based treatments.
Crisis Hotlines:
Arizona’s Teen Lifeline: If your teen is in crisis, call or text (602) 248-8336 for immediate support.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) provides 24/7 support.
Teen Self-Harm Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
At Nexus Teen Academy, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality teen mental health services in Arizona. We offer individualized treatment for adolescents with different mental health conditions, including self-injury. Our dedicated staff will address the psychological root cause of teen self-harm and offer a tailored treatment plan for your teen. We offer a comfortable environment where your teen can feel safe to express themselves.
At Nexus, we offer psychotherapy as the main treatment for teen cutting. During talk therapy, your teen will have one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist or psychologist. These sessions enable your teen to express their frustrations and address the cause of self-harm. Once the therapist understands the cause of your teen’s woes, they can guide them on healthy coping mechanisms. Just talking about the reasons why your teen self-harms can help end the behavior.
Other methods used in treating self-harm include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). During CBT sessions, your teen is taught how to recognize negative behavioral patterns and how to change them. If your teen can recognize their thinking about self-harm is distorted, they can reevaluate their thought process and reach a positive solution.
Another evidence-based therapy utilized at Nexus Teen Academy is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Developed to treat mood disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD), it seeks to help your teen accept their mental health struggles and work to change the outcome. It teaches mindfulness, acceptance, and stress regulation.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we recognize that family and community play an important role in NSSI recovery. Teens with strong ties to their family and friends tend to recover faster from self-harm since they feel valued and understood. We offer family therapy, weekly family time, and daily family calls to ensure that parents and siblings stay a part of the healing process.
If you suspect your teen is cutting, call Nexus Teen Academy today to get them the help they need.
No, parents of teens who self-harm should not punish their teens. On the other hand, they should be understanding to help them get to the root of the issue. Punishment will do your teen no good, as cutting is a way of coping with negative emotions. Parents and guardians should teach their teens positive coping mechanisms and seek professional help.
Teens often outgrow self-harm. However, calling it a phase is diminishing the seriousness of the situation. If you suspect your teen is cutting, seek professional help. Do not idly hope that they grow out of the “phase.”
Teen Cutting in Arizona: What It Is and How to Get Help
Published On September 6, 2024
Table of Contents
Teen Self-harm, especially through cutting, is a common phenomenon in Arizona teens. As a parent or guardian in Arizona, it can be concerning to watch your teen engage in risky behavior to deal with underlying mental health conditions. In Arizona, statistics show that mental health challenges among teens are on the rise. According to recent data, more than 17% of high school students in Arizona have reported engaging in self-harm. Many teens who cut themselves intentionally with sharp objects begin at around 14 years old, and the behavior decreases as they get older.
In Arizona, If your teen is cutting, it’s crucial to act empathetically and seek professional help as soon as possible. By having honest and open communication with your teen boy or teen girl, ensuring their safety, and boosting their self-esteem, you can help your teen navigate through this challenging time. Nexus Teen Academy offers several support systems, especially in communities like Cave Creek, AZ, to assist families in managing and overcoming teen self-harm behaviors. At our trusted residential facility, we provide evidence-based therapies like teen Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and teen Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), both of which are effective in treating self-harm behaviors.
What is Teen Cutting?
Clinically known as Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), teen cutting is a form of self-harm where teens intentionally cause harm to themselves through the use of sharp objects such as knives and razors. It differs from attempted suicide since teens who engage in cutting have no intention of killing themselves. Cutting is by far the most common form of self-harm, accounting for about 45% of all cases of self-harm. NSSI is more prevalent in girls than in boys, with 65% of surveyed teens being girls. LGBTQ+ teens are also more likely to cut, with bisexual girls being the most vulnerable of the group. About 47% of the bisexual teens surveyed reported engaging in self-harm at least once in their lifetime.
If your teen engages in self-harm, they are most likely to injure their hands, wrists, thighs, back of their legs, and their stomach. They prefer sites that are easy to cover using baggy clothes or bandages.
Common Misconceptions About Teen Cutting
There are several misconceptions about teen cutting. Some of the most common myths and misconceptions include the following:
Reason Why Arizona’s Teen Cut Themselves
While reasons for teen boy vs Teen girls cutting may slightly differ, it generally comes down to emotional dysregulation, underlying mental health conditions, and unchecked trauma. When your teen engages in self-harm, their bodies release endorphins, which can diminish pain and negative feelings. The rush of endorphins reduces the pain associated with cutting while simultaneously helping your teen relax and think clearly.
Signs and Symptoms of Teen Cutting
If your teen cuts, they will likely hide their injuries from you. They may start wearing long-sleeved clothing even when it is hot or whenever they are leaving their room. Some common signs of teen cutting include the following:
Irritability
Risks and Consequences of Arizona Teen Cutting
There are potential risks associated with untreated teen cutting. If your teen cuts, they are likely to experience physical, emotional, and social consequences. Some of the consequences related to NSSI include the following:
Physical Risks
If your teen cuts, they are highly likely to have infected wounds and collapsed veins. Since teens regularly cut the same spot, the wounds are unlikely to heal completely, making them much more prone to infection. Cutting the same place may also cause constant damage to the vein walls, leading to collapsed veins.
Permanent nerve damage is also a consequence of teen cutting. Constant severing of nerves without healing may lead to irreversible and permanent nerve damage.
Emotional and Psychological Risks
Teens who cut may experience long-term psychological and emotional consequences such as major depression and suicidal ideation. If your teen has been cutting for a while, are at a higher risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Self-harm may also lead to severe feelings of regret, shame, and guilt, which worsen underlying mental health conditions, leading to a vicious cycle.
Social and Self-Image Issues
One of the major consequences of teen cutting is deteriorating interpersonal relationships and social-image issues. Teens who cut tend to withdraw from social interactions, which leads to the weakening of their relationships. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, social withdrawal may affect your teen’s relationships with friends and family.
What to Do if Your Teen is Cutting
Finding out that your teen is engaging in self-harm, specifically cutting, can be an overwhelming experience. It’s important to address the situation with care, empathy, and an actionable plan.
Arizona parents should be sensitive to gender differences when addressing NSSI behaviors in their teens. Tailoring your approach based on gender differences can improve communication and understanding and encourage your teens to seek the help they need.
Differences in NSSI Behavior Between Boys and Girls
1. Types of NSSI Behavior Among Teen Boy and Teen Girl
Teen Girls: Research indicates that girls are more likely to cut, scratch, or hair-pull as forms of NSSI. Girls tend to harm parts of their bodies that are easier to hide, such as the thighs or wrists. They often use NSSI as a way to cope with emotional pain, feelings of inadequacy, or intense sadness
Teen Boys: Boys, on the other hand, might engage in more aggressive forms of self-harm, such as hitting themselves, punching walls, or burning. Boys are sometimes more prone to using NSSI as an outlet for anger or frustration rather than sadness. They may also use riskier forms of NSSI that could lead to more severe injuries
2. Frequency and Intent of Self-Harm in Teen Boy and Teen Girl
Girls: Girls generally report higher frequencies of NSSI and are more likely to do it as a form of emotional regulation. They might engage in NSSI more regularly as a way to express or manage feelings they find overwhelming.
Boys: Boys may engage in NSSI less frequently but in more extreme forms. Boys might use NSSI as a form of self-punishment or as a response to anger, and they may not always recognize the behavior as problematic.
How Parents Should Approach NSSI in Boys and Girls
1. How to Start Communication
Girls: When approaching a daughter who is engaging in NSSI, it’s important to create an environment where she feels safe to express her emotions. Open-ended questions and a focus on emotional support can be effective. It’s crucial to avoid judgmental language and instead focus on understanding her emotional state.
Example Approach: “I’ve noticed some marks on your arms, and I’m really worried about you. How have you been feeling lately?”
Boys: With boys, it may be necessary to approach the conversation differently, perhaps by initially focusing on actions and behaviors rather than emotions. Encouraging boys to talk about their stressors or what makes them angry can help them open up.
Example Approach: “I’ve noticed you’ve been frustrated lately. Let’s talk about what’s been going on. I’m here to help.”
2. Seeking Help in Arizona
Girls: Girls may benefit from therapies that focus on emotional regulation, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). These therapies help them develop healthier coping mechanisms for dealing with emotional distress.
Boys: Boys might respond better to approaches incorporating physical activity or more direct, action-oriented strategies in therapy. For example, therapies that involve building problem-solving skills or managing anger might be more effective.
3. Encourage Teens Involvement in Therapy
Girls: Involving girls in activities that promote self-expression, such as art therapy or journaling, can be particularly beneficial. These activities can provide a safe outlet for expressing emotions without resorting to NSSI.
Boys: Encouraging boys to engage in sports or physical activities as part of their therapy can help them manage their emotions constructively. Boys may also benefit from group therapy settings where they can relate to others with similar experiences.
4. Monitoring and Safety
Girls: It’s important for girls to monitor any tools or objects they might use for cutting and have open conversations about the dangers of these behaviors.
Boys: With boys, parents should also monitor for any behaviors that indicate self-punishment or extreme risk-taking and address these behaviors directly.
Arizona Resources for Teen Self Harm Immediate Support
Teen Self-Harm Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
At Nexus Teen Academy, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality teen mental health services in Arizona. We offer individualized treatment for adolescents with different mental health conditions, including self-injury. Our dedicated staff will address the psychological root cause of teen self-harm and offer a tailored treatment plan for your teen. We offer a comfortable environment where your teen can feel safe to express themselves.
At Nexus, we offer psychotherapy as the main treatment for teen cutting. During talk therapy, your teen will have one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist or psychologist. These sessions enable your teen to express their frustrations and address the cause of self-harm. Once the therapist understands the cause of your teen’s woes, they can guide them on healthy coping mechanisms. Just talking about the reasons why your teen self-harms can help end the behavior.
Other methods used in treating self-harm include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). During CBT sessions, your teen is taught how to recognize negative behavioral patterns and how to change them. If your teen can recognize their thinking about self-harm is distorted, they can reevaluate their thought process and reach a positive solution.
Another evidence-based therapy utilized at Nexus Teen Academy is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Developed to treat mood disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD), it seeks to help your teen accept their mental health struggles and work to change the outcome. It teaches mindfulness, acceptance, and stress regulation.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we recognize that family and community play an important role in NSSI recovery. Teens with strong ties to their family and friends tend to recover faster from self-harm since they feel valued and understood. We offer family therapy, weekly family time, and daily family calls to ensure that parents and siblings stay a part of the healing process.
If you suspect your teen is cutting, call Nexus Teen Academy today to get them the help they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, parents of teens who self-harm should not punish their teens. On the other hand, they should be understanding to help them get to the root of the issue. Punishment will do your teen no good, as cutting is a way of coping with negative emotions. Parents and guardians should teach their teens positive coping mechanisms and seek professional help.
Teens often outgrow self-harm. However, calling it a phase is diminishing the seriousness of the situation. If you suspect your teen is cutting, seek professional help. Do not idly hope that they grow out of the “phase.”
Keep the lines of communication open, and consider seeking advice from a mental health professional on how to approach the conversation.
Use parental controls and regularly check in on your teen’s online behavior.
Self-harm can become a compulsive behavior, making professional intervention crucial. With some effective strategies, you can help your teen with their ongoing self-harm behavior.
While cutting is serious, it doesn’t always indicate suicidal intent, but it should always be taken seriously and addressed by a professional.