Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
17-Year-Old Cutting Himself | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
I am very concern about my 17-year-old son, Bobby. I notice he is marking his skin on the upper arms with an "exacto" knife. I heard about this kind of behavior, called "cutting". Please I need advise on how to handle this situation.— Concern Mom | | | ANSWER |
June 12, 2001 | | | Dear Concern Mom,
I think you are right to be concerned about your son. When children do things to hurt themselves, it is a signal that they are in pain, emotionally. If you ask your son point blank, "What is bothering you so much that you are hurting yourself" he probably won't be able to answer. When children can express their emotions in words, they don't need to express them in physical ways.
Let Bobby know that you are concerned. Talk to his pediatrician or family doctor, and make an appointment. If you don't have a doctor for your son, you can look in the Yellow Pages under "mental health" for a public mental health agency in your city or county. (For more on getting help, see our mental health care section.)
Once you have the appointment, tell Bobby that you want him to come. If he refuses, insist. Let him know that you are concerned. You are willing to listen. You will not accept being put off.
In the end, even if your son protests, he will understand that you are acting out of love, and he will thank you for not giving up.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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