How to Help Teens Who Cut Themselves

经过

Amy Morin, LCSW

于2020年3月25日更新

很难想象为什么有人想削减自己或故意伤害自己。对于发现青少年的父母正在从事自我伤害，它可能会令人困惑，可怕，彻头彻尾的令人沮丧。

自我危害在青少年之间可能相当常见。学习始终估计，在一次或另一个时，15到20％的青少年伤害自己。幸运的是，支持大多数青少年学习更健康的应对技能并停止自我伤害。

什么构成自我伤害？

Self-harm描述任何旨在造成身体疼痛的故意行动。青少年雄性也从事这种行为，但是通常伤害他们的身体的女性，以试图应对困难的感受或情况。切割或用剃刀刀片或其他尖锐物体刮擦皮肤是最常见的自我伤害形式。

自我伤害的其他方式包括：

burning the skin with a cigarette, match or lighter
击中胸部或四肢
撞到墙上
从头或其他地方拉头发
re-opening or picking at wounds
咬人或捏皮肤

Why Do Teens Cut Themselves?

Teens who hurt themselves aren't crazy and their self-injury doesn't mean they're suicidal. Instead, it just means they're having trouble coping with their pain in a healthy manner.

伤害他们身体的物理行为提供了暂时的情感救济感。一个削减自己（或烧伤自己）的青少年开始关注伤害作为痛苦的原因。

It also provides a sense of control. A teen who engages in self-injury is likely to feel like they can control the pain better. In addition, the injury releases endorphins into the bloodstream, which also provides a temporary boost of mood.

So a stressed-out teen may cut their arms as a way to relieve stress. Or a teen who is struggling to deal with a breakup may cut their chest as a way to experience physical pain, as opposed to just emotional pain.

如果你或你的青少年有自杀思想，请联系国家自杀预防生命线在1-800-273-8255for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see our国家助理数据库。

How to Help a Teen Who Self-Harms

You may see scratches or cuts on a teen who is engaging in self-injury. You might notice bandages or your teen may wear long sleeves or cover their body even when it's hot outside.

If you suspect your teen is deliberately injuring themself, it's important to intervene. These steps can help you start a discussion and find them the专业帮助他们需要。

1. Ask your teen directly if they are engaging in self-harm.通常，直接方法是最有效的。清楚的是，你的目标是帮助他们，不要判断或惩罚问：“你有没有故意削减你的手臂？”或者“你伤害自己吗？”

2.承认你的青少年的痛苦。Telling a teen to stop or passing judgment won't be effective. Validate their feelings and express concern that they must be feeling really bad if they are hurting themself.

3. Identify activities your teen can do when she feels the urge to hurt herself.致电朋友，去散步，或者绘画只是一些可能的活动，可以帮助你的青少年以更健康的方式表达她的感受。
4.采取措施改变青少年的自我伤害行为。与孩子的儿科医生交谈以获得对治疗师的转介。心理万博手机客户端健康专业人员可以教授你的青少年更健康的方法来规范她的情绪。

5. Help your teen create a list of people to talk to。Talking to trusted friends and family can help her面对压力并减少她的自我伤害。列出您的青少年的关怀成年人可以联系到祖父母，阿姨或叔叔，朋友的父母，或你的青少年可以信任的邻居。

6. Be patient with your teen。Self-harming behavior takes the time to develop and will take the time to change. It is ultimately up to the teen to make the choice to help herself.

随着早期识别，支持他们的家庭，专业的援助，他们可以成功地阻止自我伤害。