[jgillyrn]

HI, does anyone have any info on teenage cutting? My 12 year old niece is doing this. I don't understand why. Please help! Thanks

[Aaron C.]

cutting class, cutting herself...? I'm not sure what you mean.

[kristycarberry]

I think (not positive) what she means is that she is cutting herself. This has become quite popular with teenagers. I had a friend and roomate that did this for years. I have watched several documentaries on it and it's a really sad form of self mutilation. From what I gather, it is when these teens (others too, but mainly teens) cut themselves, usually on the arms or legs repeatedly to "make themselves feel" Some of them express that they get a strange, almost erotic pleasure (see http://www.bmezine.com/news/selfmutp.html ) and that it frees them from anxiety.
www.ruinyourlife.com has some really disturbing posts from cutters and other self mutilators. They also have some good articles from cutters that have stopped.
Please note that I am not a dr, not even a nurse yet and I am not trying to offer any medical advice. Just a weblink that might help out. It took me (and lots of others) years to convince my friend to stop. I swear she still does it occasionally and we are 25 years old now.

[medi]

One of my daughter's friends got involved in the rave scene and drugs and then began "scarification". *Shudder* She's now in rehab and getting psychiatric help. jgillyrn I think you should talk with your niece's mother & discuss therapy for the girl!

Please let us know what's happening about this situation ok?

[jgillyrn]

Thanks for the info. My sister has started her in counseling. Hopefully it will help.

[jgillyrn]

Hi, she is cutting herself. She is now in counseling. Thanks for the sites you shared. I know a few ppl. that have done this but they had other problems too. My niece seemed so perfect it was hard to understand why she would do it. But the more I learn the more I understand. Thanks again!

[Aaron C.]

OMG, I can't believe this. I hope she gets help. Please let us know how she does. I simply cannot imagine cutting myself. Papercuts alone make me cringe.

I'm gonna read up on this stuff. It's interesting to say the least, but there must be underlying causes to treat rather than simply trying to keep them from cutting themselves...

[Generation2]

Accodring to my Psych nursing instructor, self mutilation causes a release of endorphins in the brain, and the same meds used to help heroine addicts, and reverse narcotics (competative opioid antagonists I think - like Narcan, etc.) can be used to block the "rush" that hooks people on cutting, burning, etc. That way things that hurt just -hurt-, with no associated euphoria. Mind you this is adjunctive treatment to counseling and other types of medication. Just thought I'd throw that out. -Nathan

[RN28]

I have worked almost exclusively in psych for the last 6 years, much of that time with all populations. Adolescents and young men and women frequently cut on themselves to relieve the inward pain and mental anguish that they feel they can only express that way. It's a form of anger turned inward, kind of like depression and also a kind of self-hatred or guilt. Many times the most INNOCENT looking kids do this. Quite a few borderline personalities do this.
They say that cutting at least makes them "feel something"..it' called self-mutilation.
A person feels so frustrated, like he/she has no control over anything but their own body so they cut on it and the pain gives them a release.
You may remember the media referring to Princess Diana doing this. I have no proof but I don't doubt she did as she felt trapped and certainly was under tremendous authority. She felt stuck. This allegedly went on at the same time her bulimia did.
It can become very compulsive. Indidviduals that do this not only need counseling they ususually need medication as well. God bless and good luck.