girls cutting

iflyjets
Sun, 17 Apr 2005 13:20:23 +0000

“Cutting” is a behavior addressed in diagnostic manuals for mental health professionals. Like eating disorders (and probably related somewhere in the brain chemistry), it is most common in females. The theories on “why” this happens are numerous. Stress and the need to feel in control of some part of their lives may drive many young women (and, perhaps even young men) to have this type of behavior. Depression is also a possible contributor. In any case, the best possible outcome is achieved with some professional guidance. And school counselors, as wonderful as they are, usually do not have the background nor time to work with someone suffering from these behaviors.

As laypersons, our abilities to help are limited. I know I direct young people with such problems toward clinicaly/counseling trained professionals whenever I can. It’s hard to get many parents to understand that these behaviors are serious as well as make them understand that they can be addressed by professionals. I just keep reminding myself and others that NONE of us usually gets through life without some stumbling blocks, some emotional or personal challenges and that it is these challenges that help us grow. Sounds terribly superficial written here, but when you honestly tell a young person that you, too, have had moments/incidents/failures/obstacles to face and that they can be overcome, sometimes they get the message.