Dear MIRIAM: CUTS ARE A SHOCK.Byline: Dr Miriam Stoppard Dear Miriam MY 16- year-old daughter insists on wearing long sleeves even when it's warm. The other day I got so exasperated I pulled off her cardigan and could not believe my eyes. Both her arms were cut and still bleeding. She confessed to using a razor blade ra·zor·blade also ra·zor blade n. A thin sharp-edged piece of steel that can be fitted into a razor. razor blade n → hoja de afeitar razor blade . Why would she do this to herself? SEVERAL factors can lead a person to begin self-harming, such as being bullied bul·ly 1 n. pl. bul·lies 1. A person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people. 2. A hired ruffian; a thug. 3. A pimp. 4. , not getting on with parents, anxiety about school work, parental divorce, death, unwanted pregnancy unwanted pregnancy Obstetrics A pregnancy that is not desired by one or both biologic parents. See Teen pregnancy. , experience of sexual, physical or emotional abuse in childhood, and difficulties associated with sexuality. Your daughter is self-harming as a way of expressing difficult emotions. It's her way of coping. Young people who hurt themselves often feel that physical pain is easier to deal with than the emotional pain they feel because it's real. But cutting only provides temporary relief and fails to deal with underlying issues. She has to learn other ways of coping through counselling, drop-in centres and self-help groups. Visit www.selfharmuk.org and www.selfharm.org.uk |
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