Teen Parents and Cutting

These days there is something that parents of all teenagers need to be aware of, it is called cutting. Cutting is just as it sounds, it is the act of cutting on ones own body repeatedly for the purpose of feeling pain. Most teens begin by cutting themselves with anything they can find, ie. A razor blade, knife, scissors, or any other sharp household object. Cutting is usually done on the arms, however for teens who have been cutting for a while, they will actually start doing it in less obvious places like the legs, chest and stomach regions.

Teenagers cut themselves for different reasons, but almost always do it as a form of releasing some feeling that they have emotionally. This can be loneliness, sorrow, anger, and so on. They often have a hard time expressing their emotions any other way.

Others who cut or self injure sometimes have other issues involved and this can be an indication of other mental health problems, as cutting is sometimes associated with depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive thinking, or compulsive behaviors. It can also be a sign of mental health issues, because people with these types of issues tend to have trouble controlling their impulses and take unnecessary risks. Some of these people will have signs of drug and / or alcohol abuse problems.

Yet another reason for cutting can be reactions to abuse or a traumatic instance. This can be a means to "feel" something, to snap out of the numb feelings they are feeling. Or, this can be a means to put themselves through the same pain over and over. This is done to try and get control over the situation.

Whatever the motive behind the self mutilation, cutting is serious. Your teen should be treated and seen by a professional. Their feeling need to be validated by you, and they need to know how serious this is.

When rearing children, child safety is the largest issue we think about. For all kinds of information from child psychologist to kids sports, check out parentinginformed.com.