Cutting is gaining popularity among middle school and high school students. What is the motivation behind this self-mulilating behavior and is it dangerous?
An Addiction
Cutting is more than a random act. Adolescents under pressure find that the pressure is released when they see themselves bleed. As amazing as that sounds, students come to rely on cutting rather than expressing their feelings to a counselor or therapist.
Death Wish?
Although cutting itself is not a suicide attempt, it can result in death. Depression is a factor in cutting and depressed youth often turn to drugs and alcohol to numb their pain. Accidents can also happen and a cut can be too deep. A student with too much to drink could fall asleep and bleed to death.
Cutting Clubs
There are students that plan their self-mutilation with others that cut. They plan cutting sessions as casually as others would plan a slumber party. The internet is being used for "Want Ads" for students that want to find each other and plan cutting sessions.
Hard to Detect
Cutting is difficult for a teacher to detect because the students often cut where the scars can not be seen. They will wear long-sleeved clothing or cut themselves in places usually covered by clothing. Just like anorexia is not about food, cutting is not about suicide. There are deep, emotional issues to both and both require professional help.
Reasons?
Poor coping skills and an inability to express feelings are often combined with depression to encourage cutting. The seeds may be dormant for a long time and then a life event triggers cutting. The life event probably didn't cause the cutting but the pressure of life came to a point that the student had to find a way to release the pressure. What life events could trigger this behavior?
- Boyfriend/girlfriend break up
- Parents divorcing
- Death of a friend
- Domestic abuse
- Death of a parent
- Harassment
- Rejection from a social group
- Extremely high expectations from parents
These events occur frequently without students resorting to cutting. However, if the seeds are already there, the event may trigger the behavior.
Instruments
Cutters will often make primitive cutting tools which makes the ritual even more dangerous. Razor blades and knives are only some of the instruments used to cut. Creative students will make cutting tools out of school supplies and go to the bathroom between classes for "release."
Gender
While most cutters are girls, boys also cut themselves. Cutting also crosses cultural and race lines. Family wealth and status does not seem to be a factor. Translation: it can happen to anyone.
Scars Are Forever
The adolescent mind does not think ahead to the future. When it comes to cutting, they do not realize that those deep scars made when they are 13, will be with them forever. Scars don't go away and they don't tan. So, the student that cut when 13 will be looking at those scars when 33--a grim reminder of a troubled past.
What Can Teachers Do?
- Consider this to be very serious. You are not overreacting if horrified.
- Don't try and "talk" the student out of this behavior. It's not enough.
- Contact the school counselor.
- School counselor should call parents and refer to a therapist.
- Be vigilant for other students that cut because it is often NOT an isolated incident.
The best thing teachers can do is be aware and quickly refer for help.
Related articles:
The Fourth Born in the Classroom
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
