1 out of 10 teenagers deliberately self-harm; 75% females, 25% males.

Common methods: cutting, burning, scratching, picking wounds, pulling hair, hitting self.

Common personality traits: students who aim for perfection, dislike their body, have difficulty releasing emotions or who have frequent mood swings.

It is often described as a coping method; when having trouble vocalizing their emotional pain, they inflict physical pain.

kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/
cutting.html

Strong, Marilee (1998). A bright red scream. NY, NY: Viking.

Favazza, Armando R. (1996). Body under
siege: Self-mutilization & body modification in culture and psychiatry. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press.

Selekman, Mathew D. (2006). Working with self-harming adolescents: a collaborative, strengths-based therapy approach. NY: WW Norton.

Self-injury can become habitual and may increase in frequency and intensity over time. Seek professional assistance from a licensed therapist with experience in this field.

According to S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends), treatment goals may include treating the underlying pain, teaching alternative behaviors, therapy and medication. It can be hard to understand why it's difficult for teens to stop.

Provide a support network to help. Also show you care about them and the injury; make it OK to talk about the issue, acknowledge they are coping the best they can and help them see the behavior as a signal of buried feelings.