Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Children and Adolescents

Nonsuicidal self-injury is when adults or children:

• Hurt themselves in ways that clearly aren't meant to cause death, such as scratching, cutting, or burning themselves

Children who hurt themselves:

• Are usually teens

• May also abuse drugs or alcohol

• Aren't trying to kill themselves, although some later do try to commit suicide

• May be helped by therapy that helps them find other ways to manage their emotions and stress

Children and teens who hurt themselves may be doing it to:

• Punish themselves

• Get attention

• Try to get help

• Manage anger or stress

In some high schools, hurting yourself suddenly becomes a fad.

Although the behavior isn't necessarily suicidal, some children are at increased risk of suicide. Those at increased risk include children who:

• Hurt themselves a lot

• Use several methods of hurting themselves

• Talk about suicide or have suicidal thoughts

Because it's hard to tell which children are at risk of suicide, those who injure themselves should see a doctor who specializes in the problems of children and teens. Doctors will assess the risk of suicide and come up with a treatment plan.

Doctors treat children who hurt themselves with:

• Therapy

• Sometimes, medicine