Understanding Self-Harm
Self-injury is a serious issue among teens and a possible sign of underlying mental illness. Let’s take a look at this dangerous behavior and its causes.
Self-Harm Statistics
90%
Percentage of those who engage in self-harm who are pre-adolescents or teens, usually beginning at age 14. (1)
Up to 38%
Estimated percentage of young adults and adolescents who engage in self-harm (2)
17%
Percentage of group who demonstrate a lifetime prevalence of abuse (2)
40%
Estimated percentage of college students who admit to self-harm after the age of 17 (2)
Common Types of Self-Harm
Though the most talked-about type is cutting of the skin, there are multiple ways one might engage in self-harm, including: (2)
Sticking objects into skin
Banging head against hard surfaces
Burning oneself
Pulling out hair, also known as trichotillomania
Hitting oneself with hard objects
Incessant picking at skin or scabs
Intentional interference with healing wounds
Ingesting poison or harmful objects
Intentionally breaking bones in hands and feet
Self-Harm and Mental Health
Self-harm is often a sign of a specific mental disorder, and these disorders often occur alongside each other. The most common co-occurring disorders include: (2)
Major depressive disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Generalized anxiety disorder
Conduct and behavioral disorders
Eating disorders
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Autism spectrum disorder
1 in 10
Number of adolescents affected by serious emotional disturbances (3)
6.9%
Percentage of high school students who admit to attempting suicide. 14.5% admit to considering it (3)
19.9 million
Number of people 12 and older who use illicit drugs, a common sign of mental illness or trauma in adolescents (3)
Causes of Self-Harm
Though mental disorders are the No. 1 cause of self-harm, there are more specific reasons adolescents and children engage in the behavior. These include: (2)
Coping strategy
Some adolescents may learn that engaging in self-harm helps them cope with stress or traumatic life events.
Emotional regulation
For some, self-harm takes focus off of intense emotions that are overwhelming. Sometimes this can be associated with sexual abuse.
Creating sensation
Sometimes traumatic experiences can leave someone feeling numb. This inability to feel emotion may lead one to try and feel something physically, leading to self-harm.
Control issues
Often, adolescents who engage in self-injurious behavior feel a lack of control of other parts of their lives. Some may live in environments where expressing emotion is looked down upon.
Punishment
A child growing up and being told they are deficient or defective may feel shame and punish themselves through self-harm.
Sources:
1. http://www.healthyplace.com
2. http://www.therefuge-ahealingplace.com
3. https://www.aacap.org