Do teenagers copy each others behaviors or have they been doing this forever?!
Question: My daughter broke up with her boyfriend about 5 yrs ago and she became extremely upset and took some vicodin I saved in the med cabinet from a fractured foot. She woke me up at 4 am and was crying her head off, so I drove her to the ER for OD on Vicodin. When they took her coat and clothes off, they told me she had cut her arms up with a utility knife. Im taking 6-8 cuts from her wrist to her shoulder on both arms. I about crapped. I guess I dont understand it. I have read where many teens are now using self mutilation to deal with psychological issues. I dont know of anyone who did this when I was a teen in the late 70s and early 80's. Whats the deal? Is it a fad? I have no idea what lead her to this. She is now 20 yrs old and I worry she will do it in her adult life. She cut for about 3 yrs and they told her it could be addictive behavior. I have paid for $$$ in counseling. It makes me sick and I am disqusted. I think she still has scars.
Answers: My daughter broke up with her boyfriend about 5 yrs ago and she became extremely upset and took some vicodin I saved in the med cabinet from a fractured foot. She woke me up at 4 am and was crying her head off, so I drove her to the ER for OD on Vicodin. When they took her coat and clothes off, they told me she had cut her arms up with a utility knife. Im taking 6-8 cuts from her wrist to her shoulder on both arms. I about crapped. I guess I dont understand it. I have read where many teens are now using self mutilation to deal with psychological issues. I dont know of anyone who did this when I was a teen in the late 70s and early 80's. Whats the deal? Is it a fad? I have no idea what lead her to this. She is now 20 yrs old and I worry she will do it in her adult life. She cut for about 3 yrs and they told her it could be addictive behavior. I have paid for $$$ in counseling. It makes me sick and I am disqusted. I think she still has scars.
It isn't a fad. It is a sign of a serious depressive disorder. People have been doing this for years. I know of a woman in her 50's who has done this to herself during depressive episodes.
The reason we hear about this often these days is that in previous decades, people with mental illnesses were not talked about. There was a lot of stigma and shame associated with mental illness, including depression.
I would really take a look at how you are reacting to your daughter's problems. You seem focused on the money you have spent on her counseling and the fact that you think what she is doing is "disgusting". What she really needs is a parent who is non-judgemental and there for her to talk to if she needs help. You should encourage her to talk to her doctor or a psychiatrist to deal with any depression she has on an ongoing basis.
However, your daughter is 20 years old, and is an adult. At this point, you can advise her on what to do, but as long as she is mentally competent to make decisions for yourself, she has the right to seek or refuse treatment (unless she is suicidal).
They call that "emo" now-a-daze. i wish my grass was emo...cause' then it would cut itself!..no offense