Self-harm – That word can be alarming for parents. Not every child has the same experience during adolescent years. Parents are often shocked to know that their teen son or daughter is developing habits that are self-destructive in nature. Among these habits, the tendency to cut one’s body is probably the most serious one, and girls are more prone to this habit than boys. Contrary to popular belief, teenagers can be prone to self-harm, regardless of background, race, and other inconsequential factors. In this post, we are discussing a few things that parents must know, with tips on how they can act better and help with self harm.

Is your teen child cutting himself/herself?

There are a few tell-a-tale signs of self-harm, especially if your child is cutting himself/herself. You may find him wearing long-sleeve tees and shirts even during the summer months, or if the child always liked wearing shorts, he may suddenly wear long pants. Most teens with a shift towards self-destructive habits tend to withdraw from the normal world, often not talking to friends, family members, relatives and parents. You may find the child is spending more hours in his bedroom, without any interaction with others. Parents should be more worried if they find razor blades in the bathroom or in his room, especially when he doesn’t need one.

Understanding the causes

Teenagers who have been neglected or have faced emotional, physical and sexual abuse in the past, are more likely to self-harm. Every case is unique, and every teen finds his/her own reasons to retort to such behavior. Sometimes, even a small incident may trigger such a response. Teens who have had a tough personal life can be prone to cutting. More often than not, self-harm is a response or symptom of another underlying issue, such as anxiety, depression or other conditions related to mental health. Teens often cut themselves, because they are not sure of how to manage a situation, or just believe that the pain is easier to manage than the emotions running on their mind.

Seeking professional help

Do not ignore the signs of self-destructive habits. Your teen child needs help, and only a good boarding school can help. Sometimes, even outpatient treatments are enough, but let the professionals decide what may work best for your child. As a parent, you can be open and extremely cooperative with the process, so that your teen son/daughter benefits the most from the ultimate decision.