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Someone is hurting our teens. And this time it isn't gangs, drugs or disease. A staggering number of American teenagers are deliberately hurting themselves - and even the experts can't agree why. It's called self mutilation, the practice of cutting, burning or otherwise injuring one's own body. A form of self-directed abuse, researchers are puzzled at the growing number of young people who engage in this practice. It's estimated that one in two hundred teenaged girls are involved in some form of self mutilation. But sociologists admit we know very little about a disorder that may afflict as many as two million people in the United States alone. To the outside world, it is often seen as a warning of suicide or as a method for seeking attention. But sociologists now believe that's not the case. They say teenaged girls who practice self mutilation view it as their secret, often a sacred one. There are several forms of self-mutilation. And cutting appears to be the most common. The cutter uses a razor blade, knife or other sharp object to puncture the skin, often allowing it to bleed for several minutes. Burning, the practice of resting a lit cigarette, lighter, match or heated metal against the skin is also well documented among teens who self mutilate. What drives these teens to abuse their own bodies? There are many theories, but only a few are widely accepted. Abuse in the past is seen as one possible psychological explanation, at least in some cases of self mutilation. Abuse can lead to feelings of self-hatred, worthlessness, abandonment, and anger. It's thought that when some individuals find themselves unable to express their feelings through other coping mechanisms, they may turn to self abuse as an outlet for their emotions. Another widely held view is that some self abuse is prompted by a feeling of loss-of-control over a situation or relationship. Some self mutilators report feeling like their life is in the control of everyone but themselves. Cutting or burning is a way for them to express that they are still in control of something- the pain that they feel. It's important to note that some stereotypical explanations for self-abuse are entirely false. Leading reseachers insist self mutilation is not a warning of suicide, nor is it a way to seek attention, or manipulate others. All of the current evidence suggests that most self-abusers want to live; they are simply acting out as a way of dealing with their emotions. The fact remains, self mutilation is rarely a warning of suicide. We know that among teens who cut or burn themselves, the vast majority keep it a secret from everyone - even close friends. Understandably, this code of silence is one reason we know so little about what motivates people to direct so much harm upon themselves. But we do know that within every self-abuser - there lies a secret- an untold story or unspoken feeling. It could be long and complex. Perhaps signalling a history of abuse as a child, or something as simple as feeling unloved. No matter what the story, we've learned there's hope for young people who turn to self mutilation. As we strive to learn more about this silent plague, we're discovering that self abusers can find solace from their pain. But we know it takes time, love and compassion to truly help them heal. AUTHOR: Lauren Slemenda  TAGS: Life abuse anorexia teenagers Life loss Love new-age BOOKMARK: Digg it | Add to Del.ICIO | Add to FARK ACTIONS: Comment Save Print Register free acount 
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