Today, some teens are using a new way to release their stress and anger. This new way to cope with this is self-destruction. Adolescents are cutting themselves to release the common problems that all adolescents must go through. This is not the way that most teens deal with puberty and stress, but it seems that this is becoming a new epidemic for teens to deal with everyday stress by taking it out on their bodies. Therapists and psychologists don’t know if the recent outbreak of one to two million people that are cutters is due to the fact that people are now okay with getting help for this. It may be that people are finding that they are not the only ones with these problems. Although these actions seem drastic and that it is a call that they may commit suicide, it’s not usually that at all. They use cutting as a jolt back to reality so that it never reaches the point of suicide. If the self-injurer does try to attempt to commit suicide, “they almost always use a method different from their preferred method of self harm”. (http://www.focus.com/ selfinjury.html)

By definition “self- injury is the act of deliberately destroying body tissue, at times to change a way of feeling.” (http://www.aacap.org/ publications?factsfam/73.htm) There are many different kinds of self-mutilation such as carving, biting, scratching, bruising, branding, burning, hitting, picking and pulling of skin and hair. The most common behaviors

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are cutting, burning, and scratching. There are also many different names such as self-mutilation and self-harm. Any way it is attempted or called, it is a call for help. People with this disease use everyday objects to commit their behavior. They use objects such as safety pins, pen caps, knives, their nails, razors, and broken glass. There are ways to see people that are self-abusers because they often wear long sleeve shirts and pants in warm weather. Some other signs of self-mutilation are sticking thumbs through holes in sleeves, and never swimming or swimming with a shirt on. Also, these teens will not participate in activities that require changing in front of people. If they do, they often change secluded from others. This is because the cuts are often found on the inner thigh, breasts, and insides of arms and wrists. Often, if the cuts are revealed, they will blame it on an animal scratch. If any of these symptoms are shown, or if there is evidence that they are injuring themselves, they should get help immediately.

There are many different types of self-harmers and there are many different ways to receive help. Due to the fact that some injurers have their own reasons to injure themselves such as ritualistically, or just because, their recovery will vary. If a child shows signs of self-injurious behavior, they should first be confronted sensitively about it. One way to peruse this is to

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say something like, “I have noticed some scratches or scars on your body. Did you make them? I’m worried about you and want you to get help.”

(http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/90/05/selfmutilation.wmd/) There several different ways that psychologists help people cope with getting better. One is to write your feelings down instead of acting on them. This way of recovery seems the favorite choice of psychologists. “Other treatments involve learning healthy way to manage stress and cope with emotions. Most cutters will respond well to therapy.” (http://www.Fortwayne.com/mld/newssentineel /7152998.htm)

Self-injury behavior can affect anyone at just about any age. The normal age is between the ages of 13 to 30 years old. It is most often young women that are engaged in this behavior. “But it also affects at least 11 thousand boys a year.” (Http://ct.essortment.com/whatisselfmut_rfyb.html) “Most self-mutilators do not continue the behavior after 10-15years.” (Http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/eating_disorders/peacelovehope/ mutilation.html) This disease even affects movie stars and music artists. Some of the most famous people that have or had this disease are in the music business they include Fiona Apple, Courtney Love from “Hole”, Marilyn Manson, and Shirley Manson of “Garbage”. Some actors that have

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cut themselves to release pain are Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, and Christina Ricci. Angelina has been quoted saying it makes her mad to see people that represent her cutting themselves to be a little like her. One of the most shocking self-harmers was princess Diana. She through herself down a staircase and cut herself with razors, penknives, and lemon cutters. (Http://www.mindpub.com/art 275.htm)

The people that most often become self-mutilators are people that have been physically or sexually abused. They use cutting as a way to show the hurt on the inside on the outside. They sometimes use mutilation of the body to punish the body for becoming a victim of sexual abuse. Other reasons people start self-injuring indicates that they have had parents who have divorced or passed, are children Who are tormented, and are children who live in an economically challenged family. They cut themselves to come to reality or because they have poor coping skills. Doctors think this disease may have to do with the neurotransmitters. “Some researchers theorize that a desire to release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, is involved.” (http://www.focusas.com./SelfInjury.html)

Cutting is a disease and should be treated as on if you or some one you know is a self-mutilator get help immediately. People that live with this disease look and live normal lives although there are signs. If you find razors broken glass or knives in a adolescents room or backpacks this is a sign. Be sure that the person knows that they are not alone and that you are there to help.