Find » Health & Wellness » Self Injury: Inside the Mind of a T...

Self Injury: Inside the Mind of a Teenage Cutter

Depression and Suicide

By Missy Grassey, published Mar 09, 2006
Published Content: 6  Total Views: 2,323  Favorited By: 1 CPs
Embed:  
Rating: 3.1 of 5
It is the hardest thing to witness, Your daughter flipping out and running towards scissors behind the counter of a contolled environment , all she wants to do is cut and she will do what it takes to achieve that. Hopsitilized for almost 3 months and on and off in the past  this young  talented girl seems to get no where. Batteling depression and suicidal thoughts has left her in a weak comprise. The girl I speak of is my daughter soon to be 16 and behind the walls of a mental institution.

Sarah, a wonderful and talented young lady, loves to act and has been very succesful at it. Acting has been her dream, her desire since she was little, plays like the Christmas Carroll, Alice in Wonderland and other roles comes quite natural for her.
So what happened? Her joy in acting has diminished, her well being reduced to seclusion,  aware of this has raised a red flag. When confronted with these differences we found our Talented and peaceful daughter has a rage inside of her like we never known. Cutting since 8 years old to releave the (Non real) feeling has taking its toll on her. For that matter on us as well. Her last episode was quite grusome slashing her arms and wrists to such an extent that blood has spattered everywhere has literally driven us to seek serious help for her.

why we wonder? She went from bulimia to cutting and these are not all superficial cuts. Many required stiches and/or glue.
All i want is to be able to help her so badly yet i am the last person she will confide in.. So what do i do? Continue to be supportive and try with all my might to assure her she is loved..Her behavior is so out of control they have had to restrain her, inject her, and send her to the quiet room. Each time she claims she will kill her self when given the opportunity. 

Medicines have been introduced, increased and unfortunetly are not helping. I am her Mom and want to help so badly yet i cannot. Her refusal to talk to staff is playing a big role in her recovery.at this point in time she seems stagnet. 

Why depresssion? Why self injury? Why not the normal teenage routine? 

Takeaways
  • Children arent just toddlers they are teenagers too.
  • Giving up is not an option when faced with such horrible truths.
  • Love is and should always be unconditional
Did You Know?
self Injury is on the rise amongs kids
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
 
 
I know exactly what your daughter is feeling because I am THAT girl.I'm gonna tell it to you from our viewpoint.Sometimes you feel like you have no control at all in you life and with cutting it gives you that control feeling.But after awhile you don't even control your cutting anymore because it's no longer a habit, it's now a addiction.She can't confide in you because she feels like you will judge her and try to dictate her life.All she wants is for someone to hug her and tell her it'll be alright.She might refuse it at first but that's what she wants.She knows she needs help but she doesn't wanna listen to that little voice inside her head.But she always has that fear of what happens if she can't stop in time.Like what if my next cut is my last cut I'll ever be able to make in my life.One last thing approach her because it's super hard for her to come to you.Please don't give up on her that'll only make thing worse.And don't force her to talk to someone because she's not gonna reall

Posted on 05/16/2008 at 5:05:23 PM

 
Amen and praise God to you whoever you are. I am a mother of a 15 old that cuts when she is depressed and feels rejected. The hardest thing to do is not be reactive (threatening, screaming) when it is a fight for your daughter's life but without Christ, you have already lost to the enemy. The only thing that kept my daughter from cutting to the point of suicide was the Lord. She knew she wouldn't get to heaven. I applaud your courage to share both your past cutting problem and your cure-Our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you and from this mother, you have given me hope. Thank you

Posted on 02/28/2008 at 7:02:29 PM

 
I started cutting when I was 14-15 and quickly became suicidal. The ONLY thing that turned me around was realizing that God genuinely loves me. For awhile I still struggled not to cut (it had become a habit) and all I knew to do was read my Bible and pray for strength. This seems ridiculous to some readers, but you really can't dispute someone's personal experience. I'm 23 now and you know, I don't even remember the last time the thought of cutting occurred to me. It was one of those things: fill yourself up with Christ and the dirt washes out, much like the way dirt is forced out of a container that you keep filling up with clean water.

Posted on 02/06/2008 at 3:02:25 AM

 
My stepdaughter, 15, has been going to therapy for depression which started when an older boy she trusted took advantage of her. The therapist didn't think her cutting was severe and assured us she had stopped. We have left her alone for months with only words of wisdom and love. She barely speaks to me anymore. Today is Christmas, and I noticed our little girl making quite the business of hiding her wrists again. My husband asked to see her wrists and she refused, then confessed, she's cutting again. I miss her and I'm heartbroken. Any advice?

Posted on 12/25/2007 at 11:12:05 PM

 
Ma'am I'm sure you daughter loves you its just she's going through a VERY rough time right now probably. In her head she may think everything is not peachy. I suggest looking up some websites. It's how my mother got through to me although I had been getting help with my cutting(which I am still trying to stop) before she even suspected. I have a feeling that your daughter should be left alone for a little bit to think about everything and see that her life will only be more difficult if she continues. You should tell her that then leave her to think. Hey I may be only 13 but its worth a try because it worked with one of my friends.

Posted on 12/06/2007 at 10:12:00 PM

 
KINDLY SEE OUR NEW WEBSITE AT:"SUICIDE PREVENTION.BIZ"

Posted on 10/28/2007 at 5:10:00 AM

 
Ms.Grassey, My thoughts & prayers are with you & your daughter. I have a girlfriend who has a beautiful multi talentd 15 year old daughter who cuts too & I have seen that family go through some real low times,but you're so right to keep by your little girl & love her& help her no matter what happens! Cannot under estimate the power of a mothers love for her child.

Posted on 03/14/2006 at 4:03:00 AM

Type in Your Comments Below - (1000 characters left)
Your name:

Submit your own content on this or any topic. Get started »
Showing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
 
Most Commented On