Why do some teenage girls cut themselves?By a worried father?

Answer 1

I went through the same thing with my daughter when she was 15 yrs. old. She was going through this really dark phase, and it took almost a year before she acted really happy again.
She was caught cutting on herself at school, and the embarrassment, and suspension was a deterrent of sorts.
Plus I told her, point blank, that she was NOT allowed to cut herself ever again!!!!! That's not something we ever covered(who knew we needed to?) in the sex, drugs, and smoking talks.
It's definitely not in the Dr. Spock type books either!!!!!!!!!
My advise would be just to continue to stay on top of her, and be ready to get counseling a.s.a.p. if she continues to hurt herself.
Believe it or not, she will most likely stop this on her own. Keep showering her with lots of love, and be open when she's ready to talk about it.
This too shall pass!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

All of the above answers have some truth to them. Self-mutilation may be a serious mental problem. However, it may also be an attention-seeking device. The problem is deciding which. What I would advise a parent to do is to openly discuss the issue with the young lady in question. I would attempt to find out what cutting meant to her and what she thought it would achieve. I would then tell her that if she could not control the behavior that you would have no other choice but to obtain psychiatric help for her. Which if she is under the age of 18 you can do without her consent. I would stress to her that while psychiatric hospitals are places that help people they are not as portrayed in some poplar movies. Many young people who end up in psychiatric facilities wish that they were not there. Because of the danger of self-harm, much of the privacy and rights that one has at home is missing at the hospital. You have to walk a fine line between seeming to threaten your daughter (if she really needs help - you don't want to scare her out of it) and making sure that she does not see a trip to the adolescent psych. unit as a lark. You should get a commitment from her to do two things

1. To not harm herself in anyway
2. To permit her mother or another trusted female to check her at will to insure that she is not cutting herself.

If she will not or cannot commit to this then you have no other choice than to involve mental health professionals. However, I think it is a good think to talk to her and be open with your concerns and with the actions that you will have to take.

Answer 3

I'm bipolar and though I don't cut I was suicidal. Your daughter might cut just for the look of it (i.e. emo) or she is very much depressed and is almost at the point of suicide (which can be a plea for attention). DON'T FRET THOUGH. What worked for me is NOT PSYCHIATRIC HELP because that made me feel even worse and I felt like an overanalyzed psycho-nutcase. Instead, find out what's bothering her but don't nose around too much. If you have a feeling it might be school, maybe it's a good idea to transfer her to someplace else. And relieve her of the stress of peers and schoolwork. Take her to the movies or the other things she loved as a girl. Lastly, it is very likely that she recovers on her own when she is provided the ample environment for recovery (i.e. happy household, happy family, social life, school life, etc.)

Answer 4

Get her help and ger it FAST !! My step sister started out making small cuts on her wrist and arm. I do not know why as I live in one state and she lived in another with our bio dad. But I do know that my dad is a VERY controlling person. ( I'm not saying you are or you would not be trying to find out why she is doing it ). I myself think she had some very deep mental problems as she had found her mother dead of suicide when she was 9 and our dad never got her any help. His thoughts were " well she is young and will forget about it ". And no matter what anyone said to him he would not do anything to help her. Long story short, My sister commited suicide at age 16 my sticking our dads gun in her mouth and pulling the trigger in HIS bedroom. I still hurt for her !! This is a BIG cry for help by your child. PLEASE get her some help ASAP. If money is a problem call your local mental health clinic. They will provide a doctor for free. And don't let them just try and put her on drugs, she needs to talk to someone that can get to the root of the problem.....I'm a single dad and even tho my child is only 9 I still tell her all the time that no matter what problem she may EVER have to always know that she can come to me and I will be here for her. Good Luck and Please let us know how your daughter does. If you would like to talk to someone who has been there please e mail me at anytime !!

Answer 5

There must be pretty upsetting for the parents. I think girls cutting themselves need to se a doctor or some psyciatrist fast. Reasons for selfdestruction can be several.

It is right to be worried, because it is so alarming when children are selfdestructive.

Get her some help no matter the cost

Answer 6

Girls cut themselves for two reasons.

1. To seek attention they are not getting

2. Because they are in so much emotional pain they like to feel the physical pain of cutting.

She needs to be in counseling with someone SHE CAN TRUST..

There are so many therapist out there and many are flakes themselves, so if she doesn't click with the first one, try again...
BUT SHE NEEDS TO BE SEEN BY SOMEONE RIGHT AWAY. She might cut herself to deeply and hit a vain. GET HER HELP IMMEDIATELY!!!! Call your doctor so he can recommend what
action to take...

Answer 7

They will cut themselves as a form of release. To have a feeling of control, by self inflicting pain on themselves. Sometimes they will find pleasure in these acts. In all cases, self mutilators need to see therapy and get control over their impulses.

Answer 8

My daughter had a friend that was a cutter and she said she did it to cope with everything in her life that it was her way to control but this is really complicated. I don't understand it but your daughter needs help (talk to a professional that can deal with this situation). Don't wait on this - she may cut a little to much or the wrong place or to deep so please get her some help and I'm wishing you the Best in This. Good Luck!!!!!

Answer 9

I have seen some programs on this. And I used to do this sometimes myself when I was feeling confused or felt overwhelmed or out of control with no answers and wanted answers or understanding to things I would feel self destructive. It was a way to be in control and the pain of the cuts helped me feel in control of my feelings. ( I inflicted the pain, it wasn't something that was caused to me.) I got help. It is not your fault that she does this. Try to get her into a good counsellor. Good Luck.

Answer 10

because they are depressed and their parents have failed to ensure that they have had a proper upbringing. sorry to say it. the kid probally is an out cast in school and the only friends they have dress filthy and are into hard core death rock music. i hope kurt is not carved in the arm. if so get them help. that kid needs some theropy. they will tell u that u do not understand what they are going through but their just miserable kids who think they are in the worlds worst struggle. perhaps having them travel to anohter country would help. i had a friend like that when i was younger. she used to cut herself and carve sayings in her arms. her aunt took her to morocco and showed her what real struggle is and thank god the girl snapped out of it.