Pleasure in pain: teenagers and self-mutilation – Online Psychologists

Naiara had been victim of bullying long-lasting. While everyone looked the other way, Naiara found a single way out of so much pain: the substitute pleasure of self-mutilationSeveral months later, Naiara is still hospitalized after what she calls “a bad cut.”

Cristian is a rebellious teenager who came up against family discipline, time and again. His story was a succession of conflicts with all the authority figures until self-mutilation became his solution. Currently, he is still undergoing both psychological and psychiatric treatment, despite his initial adamant refusal to accept both.

It is about cuts, scrapes, burns or scratches made on purpose by themselves using a sharp object; a razor, knife, scissors, the metal tab on a drinks can, the end of a paper clip, a nail file or a pen. Some burn their skin with a cigarette butt or a lit match, deep enough to cut the skin and cause bleeding.

Generally get injured on wrists, forearms, abdomen, thighs, although other areas can be injured), which are usually done secretly, hiding the wounds and subsequent scars, under long sleeves, several sleeves, pants and preventing other people from accessing their room, the bathroom or, looking for excuses, not to do sports and even gym class since self-mutilation usually involves a feeling of shame and concealment, so that if someone finds out, they make up excuses about how they got hurt.

Most of those who self-mutilate are womenbut boys do it too. This behavior usually begins in adolescence and can continue into adulthood. In some cases, there is a family history of self-mutilation through cutting.

Self-mutilation often begins with an impulse. But many teens find that once they start, the behavior becomes addictive and can be difficult to stop. Many teens who injure themselves say that cutting provides them with relief. relief for your emotions of deep pain, and therefore this behavior tends to reinforce itself.

Self-mutilation thus becomes a teenager's habitual response to pressures and feelings that are unbearable. Some would like to stop, but they don't know how or feel they can't. Others do not want to stop cutting themselves.

They do it for different reasonsFor most, it is an attempt to interrupt strong emotions which they find intolerable. But it is not a suicide attempt. However, they often underestimate the possibility that infections or bleeding that accompany these injuries may cause more serious injuries and even illness.

Most teens who cut themselves suffer with strong emotionsThey believe that hurting themselves is the only way way to express or interrupt those feelings that are too intense to bear; the emotional pain of feeling rejected (whether at school, within a group of friends or even within one's own family), the loss or end of a relationship, or deep anguish can be overwhelming for some teenagers.

In addition, they often deal with difficult situations that no one else knows about. For other teens, it's the pressure to be perfect or to live up to unattainable expectations, whether their own or imposed on them. Some have been hurt by harsh treatment or situations that have made them feel unsupported, powerless, unworthy or unloved.

Also, there are other teenagers who have suffered traumawhich can cause periods of emotional numbness. For them, cutting may be a way to check if they can still “feel” pain. Others describe it as a way to “wake up” from that numbness.

For some people, the physical pain It is preferable to emotional pain because the latter alone can feel nonspecific, difficult to pinpoint and relieve. However, when cutting, adolescents report a feeling of control and relief from knowing where their pain is coming from, in a specific way, and at the same time a feeling of well-being when it stops. Injuries can symbolize inner pain that could not be verbalized, confided to someone, acknowledged or healed.

Many teens who cut themselves describe the feeling of relief they feel when doing so, which is common among teens. compulsive behaviorsThis could be due to several reasons: the release of endorphins or «pleasure» hormones that are released when intense physical effort occurs and that can also be released when an injury occurs; the distraction from painful emotions produced by intense physical pain and the impression of seeing blood.

Cut can be habit-formingWhile it only provides temporary relief from emotional pain, the more a person cuts, the more they feel the need to continue doing so.

As with other compulsive behaviors, the brain begins to associate the momentary feeling of relief from unpleasant emotions with the act of cutting. Each time the pain arises, the brain seeks that relief and leads the adolescent to repeat this behavior.

This is the reason cutting can become a habit that makes a person feel unable to stop, especially if the emotional tensions to which the teenager is subjected are intense.

Cutting is often linked to or part of various mental health problems such as impulses, obsessions, or compulsive behaviors. Sometimes, depression or bipolar disorder can contribute to moods that are so overwhelming that it is difficult for a teenager to regulate them.

The same is true for personality disorders in which interpersonal relationships are experienced in an intense but unstable manner, as well as risky or self-destructive behaviors generated by dangerous emotions. For others, post-traumatic stress has affected their ability to cope with situations or they face problems with alcohol or substance abuse.

Some teenagers start cutting themselves because influence of other peers who already do it. For example, a teen might try to cut herself because her boyfriend does. There may also be peer pressure. Some teens cut themselves in groups and may pressure others to do the same. A teen might give in to this peer pressure to prove that he or she is “brave” or “cool,” to feel a sense of belonging, or to avoid bullying from peers.

Any of these factors can help explain why a teenager cuts, but the following also play a key role: feelings and experiences unique to each teen. Some teens who cut may not be able to explain why they do it. Regardless of the factors that may lead a teen to self-harm, cutting is not a healthy way to deal with emotions and pressures, no matter how extreme they may be.

Some teenagers They hide their injuriesor if such injuries require medical attention, this may be the only way for others to find out what is happening to them; but many teens engage in self-mutilation through cutting for a long time before anyone notices. Some tell someone about their problem, either because they want help to stop injuring themselves or because they want someone to know what is happening to them.

Asking for help requires courage and confidenceMany teens are hesitant to tell anyone about their problem because they are afraid that they will be misunderstood, or that knowing about it will make other people angry, upset, disappointed, shocked, or judge them poorly. Some tell friends, but ask them not to say anything. This can create a burden for the friend who knows.

When asked about cutting, teens may respond in different ways; some may deny it, while others may admit it but deny that it is a problem. Some may even become angry and upset, or reject any attempts at help. Some teens are relieved that someone else knows what they are going through, cares about them, and wants to help.

Whether or not someone else knows about it and has tried to help them, some teens continue cutting for a long time before they stop. In cases where cutting is part of another mental health problem, treatment is usually required. professional help.

Sometimes cutting or other symptoms lead to hospitalization of the adolescent in a hospital or mental health clinic. In some cases, they must be hospitalized more than once for self-harm before they are ready to accept help for cutting or other comorbid mental health issues.

Some teens find a way to stop injuring themselves. This can happen if the teen finds a compelling reason to stop, receives the necessary support, or finds ways to resist this strong impulse.

You also need to discover new ways to handle problematic situations and regulate overwhelming emotions. This can take time and often requires the help of a mental health professional.

It can be difficult to stop cutting, and a teen may not be successful at first. Some stop for a while and then relapse. Breaking this strong habit requires determination, courage and strength, as well as the support of others who provide understanding and caring.

It is not simple since it follows a similar course to that of…