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Guide To Teen Self-Harm By Arizona Teen Mental Health Experts

Ultimate Guide To Teen Self-Harm By Nexus Teen Academy

Studies show that about 17% of teenagers in the United States engage in teen self-harm at least once. Such worrying statistics show that teen self-harm is a serious mental health condition that shouldn’t be ignored. Due to the complexity of teen self-harm, parents and caregivers need to educate themselves on this problem and understand when to seek professional help.

At Nexus Teen Academy, we can provide help at our teen residential treatment center to assist your teen as they work through their self-harm problem as well as any underlying mental health conditions that may be contributing. To learn more about our programming and how we can help with your situation, contact our team today.

What is Teen Self-Harm?

Teen Self-Harm

Teen self-harm is the intentional harming, including cutting, burning, and scratching, of oneself as a coping mechanism. Teenagers may engage in self-harm as a way to deal with difficult emotions they feel, such as sadness, guilt, fear, and anger. A lack of healthy coping mechanisms can lead to an increased risk of self-harm among teenagers and adolescents.It is, however, important to understand that self-harm is not always a suicide attempt. While it involves intentionally harming oneself, the end goal is usually managing emotions and is not meant to be fatal

Types of Self-Harm in Teens

Teen self-harm can manifest in several ways. Some of the most common forms include cutting, burning, hitting, and scratching.

Cutting and Scratching

Cutting and Scratching

Teen cutting is one of the most common types of self-harming. Teenagers may cut themselves using sharp objects like knives, razor blades, or glass. The severity of the injury will vary. Arms, wrists, abdomen, and thighs are some of the most commonly cut body parts. These areas are most common since they are easy to hide using clothing.

Burning

Burning

Some teenagers burn themselves as a form of self-harm. They may inflict pain by using lighters, matches, or hot objects like ovens. Burning creates an intense pain that distracts them from the emotional pain and turmoil they may be struggling with

Hitting and Banging

Although less commonly used, teenagers may resort to self-harming by hitting or burning themselves. This may involve hitting themselves and hard objects or banging their bodies on walls or concrete. Punching walls can create physical pain used to numb the emotional pain within.

Other Forms

Other common forms of teen self-harm may include:

  • Trichotillomania
  • Ingesting harmful substances like drugs
  • Inserting objects beneath or in the skin

These act both as a form of punishment and a distraction from the emotional pain they may be feeling.

Common Causes of Self-Harm in Teens

Contrary to popular belief, teenagers do not self-harm for attention; several causes and reasons may force a teenager into self-harming. The factors can either be emotional, psychological, environmental, or biological.

Emotional and Psychological Factors

Emotional and psychological factors are the top motivators for teenage self-harm. Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and trauma may trigger teenagers to self-harm as a coping mechanism. Mental health illnesses are known for exacerbating feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or low self-worth. Depressing thoughts may also affect teenagers’ ability to think, act, and live comfortably. Such overwhelming emotions may push a teenager to self-harm as a negative coping mechanism.

Environmental and Social Influences

Environmental factors like bullying, peer pressure, and family dynamics play a part in teen self-harm. Teenagers who experience bullying from either close ones or cyberbullying may self-harm to cope with the humiliation. A teenager from a dysfunctional family where arguments are constant may also self-harm to deal with the continuous disruptions from their environment.

Biological and Genetic Factors

Genetic factors are also a known source of teen self-harming behaviors. Teenagers from families with a history of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are at a high risk of self-harming behaviors. Neurochemical imbalances in the brain may play a part in teen self-harm behaviors. When emotions regulating hormones like serotonin or dopamine are unbalanced, a teenager is at risk of suffering from a mental health disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Self-Harm in Teenagers

Here are some physical, behavioral, and emotional signs that your teen may be self-harming.

Physical Signs

The most common physical signs of self-harm are:

  • Pattern like scars
  • Burns on the surface of their skin, mostly on the leg, the abdomen, or the arms
  • Fresh cuts or scratches on the skin surface
  • Keeping an organized collection of cutting items, like razor blades or glass
  • Frequently reporting accidental injuries
  • Always using bandages, wearing long sleeves or pants

Behavioral Changes

Changes in behavior that may signify teen self-harm include:

  • Isolating themselves from family, friends, or peers
  • Reluctance to participate in activities, hobbies, and interests they once loved
  • Changes in clothing style, such as wearing long-sleeved clothes or long pants
  • Reluctance to expose their bodies to activities like swimming
  • Providing vague explanations for their frequent injuries

Emotional Indicators

Emotional signs of teen self-harm include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
  • Lack of interest in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed
  • Constant worry or anguish
  • Expressing feelings of guilt, shame, and regrets
  • Detaching from families and friends
  • Reducing contact or communication with loved ones

How Does Self-Harm Affect Adolescents?

Self-harm leads to several serious consequences that can impact an individual’s day-to -day life.

Emotional consequences

Self-harming teens are likely to feel depressed, anxious, or guilty because of their self-harming tendencies. While self-harm can provide short-lived relief, they may end up battling with feelings of low self-worth or hopelessness. These feelings may exacerbate their emotional turmoil, leading to worsened mental health and increased incidences of self-harm.

Physical consequences

The most noticeable side effect of self-harm is the physical impact it leaves. Teenagers who self-harm are at high risk of having infections, tissue damage, or scarring. Permanent scars are a constant reminder of the emotional turmoil which may affect a teenager’s self-worth. Repeated incidents of teen self-harm are likely to take a toll on a teenager’s overall well-being.

Social consequences

Self-harming teenagers will likely isolate themselves from socially interacting with family, peers, or friends. They may choose to avoid interactions to hide their emotional turmoil or the visible signs of self-harm. This may lead to strained relationships, feelings of loneliness, or isolation. The more a teenager feels disconnected from the social support system, the more they may feel the urge to self-harm. Isolation may also make it impossible for a family or the support system to get a teenager’s help.

Teen Self-Harm Scars

Scars can have an emotional significance on teenagers who self-harm. They serve as a constant reminder of their past emotional state. Their appearance may make teenagers self-conscious of their body image and aesthetic appeal. This may lead teenagers to self-loathe or withdraw from exposure activities. Despite the scar’s appearance, all hope is not lost, as there are several treatment options for scars.

Physical Treatment Options

There are several medical and cosmetic procedures to treat and manage self-harm scars. Some of these include:

  • Topical Treatments: Several over-the-counter creams and lotions can be used to treat self-harm scars. Most of these creams contain ingredients like silicone, vitamin E, or onion extract that can help improve scar texture and color.
  • Laser Therapy: Laser therapy reduces the redness and itchiness of scars. They help smooth out raised scars by promoting the growth of new cells in the infected areas.
  • Microdermabrasion: This procedure uses exfoliating crystals to create smooth skin on the scarred areas.
    Injections: Steroid injections can also help in the treatment of raised scars like keloid.
  • Surgical options: In severe cases, surgical removal or skin grafting may be considered to reduce prominent scars.

Coping Mechanisms

Since self-harming teenagers harm themselves to cope with heavy emotions, it is necessary to equip them with healthy coping skills:

Therapy and Counseling

Therapy and counseling offer a healthy way for teenagers to deal with their self-harming urges. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer therapies like Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) to help teenagers struggling with self-harm. CBT helps them identify and change their negative thought process.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises help teenagers manage their stress and anxiety. Combining physical exercises like yoga may help improve emotional well-being.

Creative Outlets

Creative outlets like art therapy, journaling, music, and dance offer teenagers a healthy way to express their emotions. Writing down feelings is a simple yet effective safe space for teenagers to articulate the heavy emotions they cannot speak out about.

Physical Activity

Regular exercise can help promote mood, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. Activities like running or jogging provide a sense of accomplishment and reduce self-harming tendencies.

Healthy Distraction Techniques

Teenagers can engage in healthy distractions, such as spending time with family and loved ones, sports, fun hobbies, and more. All of which are great ways to prevent isolation and loneliness.

Myths and Misconceptions about Teen Self-Harm

There are several myths and misconceptions that society has concerning teenage self-harm. Some believe that self-harm is an attention-seeking behavior, while others believe it is a suicide attempt. Such myths may deter teenagers from getting the proper medication or treatment they need.

Debunking Common Myths

Self-harm is Always a Suicide Attempt

Some people assume that teenage self-harm is a suicide attempt; the reality is most teenagers who self-harm do not want to kill themselves; they self-harm to cope with heavy emotions.

Only Girls Engage in Self-harm

Even though many cases of boys self-harming may go unreported, all genders engage in self-harm.

Teens Who Self-harm are Attention-Seeking

Self-harming is not attention seeking but a cry for help; teenagers undergoing self-harm lack healthy coping mechanisms, hence their resort to self-harming. Understanding these enables society to equip teenagers with education and proper coping skills.

Self-harm is Just a Phase and Will Go Away on Its Own

Self-harming teenagers need immediate medical attention and counseling to heal from self-harming tendencies and the underlying problems causing these issues in the first place.

Teen Self-Harm Prevention and Early Intervention

Preventing teen self-harm is possible. Parents must be keen enough to notice subtle changes in their teenager’s behaviors and emotions. Some of the early indicators that may show your teen is self-harming are:

  • Isolating from families, friends, and peers
  • Changes in dressing codes, such as wearing long pants or sweaters
  • Feelings of guilt, anger, or sadness
  • Expressing hopelessness or a desire to die

If you notice any of the signs, contact a medical professional immediately. Early intervention may help promote your teenager’s mental health. Teenagers have succumbed to self-harm injuries, and failure to get them help early enough may lead to negative outcomes.

Effective Communication Strategies

Realizing your teenager is self-harming may be sad as a parent. You may be clueless about approaching the conversation, but do not panic. Have an open discussion with your teen about it. Do not judge them, push them for answers, or blame them for self-harm. Listen to them actively, validate their experiences, and offer reassurance. This may make your teenager comfortable enough to discuss their problems without fear or judgment.

Professional Help and Resources

At Nexus Teen Academy, we provide resources and help for teens and families battling with mental health disorders. Our therapists and mental health providers work with families to create personalized treatment plans.

Nexus Teen Academy Treatment Options for Teen Self-Harm

At our teen mental health treatment center, we have several treatment approaches for teen self-harm. We utilize both therapy, counseling, and holistic approaches to promote healing. The different therapies we offer are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies work to challenge and change a teenager’s negative thought process. They teach teenagers to accept their reality but not let their challenges define them. We also use holistic therapies like mindfulness to help improve mood and relieve stress.

In some cases, we use medication in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities. Medication helps with symptomatic treatment and works well in coordination with therapy and counseling. If you know any teenager battling teen self-harm, contact us. We can help your teenager get the treatment and help they need. Remember, early intervention is always best.

Family Support

Family support is one of the most important pillars of a teen’s recovery progress. At Nexus Teen Academy, we encourage family support by integrating the family in therapy. Through family therapy, we teach the family how to offer emotional support and communicate with their teenagers. We help them improve communication, build trust, and create a supportive home environment. Along with family therapy, we offer weekly family time where parents and siblings can meet with their teen in person as well as daily family phone and video calls. This ensures that your family remains a part of the healing process.

Peer Support

Peers offer a safe space for teenagers to discuss their feelings and emotions without fear of judgment. Other teenagers going through the same challenge are likely to empathize more than those who aren’t. At Nexus Teen Academy, we encourage peer interaction through group therapy. Group therapy encourages teens to bond over mutual experiences. It creates a sense of community and equips them with healthy coping strategies. It can also eradicate feelings of loneliness and isolation that can harm healing.

If you are interested in learning more about how Nexus Teen Academy can help your child, contact our team for immediate assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, self-harm scars can be treated. Options include topical treatments, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and, in severe cases, surgical removal. It is important to consult with your dermatologist to help you determine the best course of treatment.

Yes, one of the factors influencing self-harm is peer pressure from friends and peers. Teens may experience the pressure to conform to societal standards, pushing them to adopt similar behaviors as their peers.

Some less visible alternatives of self-harm include:

  • Hair pulling (trichotillomania)
  • Ingesting harmful substances
  • Excessive exercise or dieting
  • Skin picking
  • Biting

Look for specific signs such as frequent unexplained injuries, wearing long sleeves in warm weather, or finding sharp objects or bandages in their belongings. Withdrawing from social interaction or isolating oneself can also be an indication of teen self-harm.

Teenagers from a family with a history of mental health disorders may be at risk of suffering from one. Additionally, teens growing up in environments with dysfunctional family dynamics may be more susceptible to self-harming as a coping mechanism.

Yes, several apps have been designed to support teenagers battling with mental health disorders:

  • Calm Harm: An app that provides activities to help resist the urge to self-harm.
  • Headspace: Offers guided meditation and mindfulness exercises.
  • My3: Helps teens stay connected with their support network and create a safety plan.
  • 7 Cups: An online therapy and free support chat platform for teens.
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