One day, while working in the walk-in clinic, I was examining a teenage girl. As I went to check her reflexes, I accidentally bumped her forearm and she yelped in pain. When I asked her what was going on she didn’t want to answer. Finally, reluctantly, she pulled up her sleeve, revealing a bandage. Under the bandage were 3 slices across her forearm, one of which was gaping open. She’d been cutting.
A Growing Problem
Cutting is, unfortunately, a growing problem among troubled teens and tweens. It is usually an attempt to deal with emotional pain and stress. Cutting releases endorphins creating a “feel-good” effect, similar to what cocaine users feel.
It is most commonly done by girls, but boys also cut. Many have a history of being abused, either physically, sexually, or emotionally. Cutting can also be a symptom of psychiatric problems such as anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Over-achievers and perfectionists often cut. Often there is an associated eating disorder or depression.
The world of a teenager often is a confusing, stressful place. Cutting gives them a sense of control. When they are hurting emotionally, cutting dulls the pain, which is why it can become addictive. The more they hurt, the more they cut. They are literally trying to cut away the pain.
What You Can Do
Psychotherapy should be the first step in treatment for someone who is cutting. This girl’s physical wounds will heal, but, as the saying goes, “The scars you can’t see are the hardest to heal.”
She is going to need lots of help in the days and weeks to come. That is why, after sewing her up, I asked our on-site clinical psychologist to talk with her. He was able to counsel her and start the process of getting her the help she needs.
If you have a friend or loved one who is cutting don’t overreact. Self-injury is a sign of emotional pain and the last thing a “cutter” needs is your condemnation, your anger or for you to panic. They need you to be there for them, to listen to them, to support them, and to assist them in getting professional help.
Oh, and by the way, don’t call them “cutters”. They are hurting kids, who need to be loved, not labeled. They need to know they are important to you. They also need to know God loves them too and He “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3.
Open Our Eyes, Lord
This experience shook me. If I hadn’t accidentally bumped this girl’s arm, I never would’ve known what was happening. I couldn’t have gotten her the help she needed. I wonder how many other opportunities to help I have missed because I wasn’t observant enough. I wonder how many others have been crying out for help, but their voices have gone unheard, because I wasn’t listening.
Everyday we each come in contact with people, both young and old, who are hurting, who are crying out for help. Some are cutting, while are others are acting out in other self-destructive ways. For each, God longs to heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds, but He needs us to show them the way.
Today, I pray God will open our eyes to see their need, open our ears to hear their cries, open our hearts to feel their pain, and give us the wisdom to know how we can help. Because if we don’t, who will?
To learn more about cutting and how you can help, check out these articles:
www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/cutting-self-harm-signs-treatment#1
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/self-injury/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350956