Helping Your Child Reduce Self-Harming Behavior

Self-harm, or inflicting physical harm onto one’s body to ease emotional distress, is not uncommon in kids and teens. In fact, according to clinical psychologist Deborah Serani, PsyD, in her book Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers, about 15 percent of kids and teens engage in self-harm. There are many forms of self-harm, including cutting, scratching, hitting and burning. Many kids and teens who self-harm also struggle with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, physical abuse or other serious concerns or psychological disorders. These kids “don’t know how to verbalize their feelings, and instead, act them out by self-injuring,” Serani writes. Kids might self-harm to soothe deep sadness or other overwhelming emotions. They might do it to express self-loathing or shame. They might do it to express negative thoughts they can’t articulate. They might do it because they feel helpless. Research has found that self-harm is an addictive behavior. “Clinical studies link the role of opiates. When a child self-harms these feel-good endorphins flood the bloodstream. The rush is so pleasing that a child learns to associate self-harm as soothing, instead of being destructive,” Serani writes. Self-harm is called non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) because there’s no intention to commit suicide. However, as Serani cautions in her book, self-injury can lead to deliberate suicide. If you notice signs of self-harm, take your child to a therapist for a pr...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Tags: Anorexia Anxiety and Panic Bipolar Books Bulimia Children and Teens Depression Disorders Eating Disorders Family General Mental Health and Wellness Self-Help Stress Borderline Personality Disorder Coping Deborah Serani De Source Type: blogs