Self Cutting: What Parents Need to Understand

Most parents do not realize what this is and some that have heard about it have a lot of confusion about what it really is. Cutting is not a failed suicide attempt. Cutting is just what it is: Cutting. Most teens that cut themselves are not suicidal. Don't get me wrong some may actually be suicidal but for the most part they are not. So now that you understand that part of it, put the suicide part aside and find out what is really going on with your teen.

Teens cut themselves for many different reasons. But no matter what the reason behind the cutting is , the main part of the cutting is a coping mechanism. It is a way for teens to cope with whatever is bothering them. Also cutting poses a different coping aspect for each teen. All teens are different and all teens will not fall into all categories. So remember when dealing with cutting focus on your teen and not some other teen

Cutting can provide teens that are depressed with an outlet to feel something. By cutting themselves they feel pain and sometimes in the state of mind they are in , pain is better than feeling nothing. So depression needs to be addressed and steps taken to help your child learn how to cope with depression and start to feel better.

Sometimes teens just feel overwhelmed with everything that is going on and can not seem to cope with all of it. Cutting provides them an outlet for these emotions and gives them a sense of some control. Cutting to them is something they can control. With this you need to help your child address what in their lives is causing them to feel overwhelmed. Counseling is needed to help them to learn they don't have to be perfect and they don't have to do it all alone. With counseling they can learn new and more productive ways of dealing with the overwhelming pressures.

When confronting your teen over what they are doing , you should not come at them in a confrontational manner. Doing this can actually make things worse. Sit down with them and discuss this calmly and with understanding and compassion. Talk with doctors also to help find a way to get your teen the help they need.