Cutting, is also know as self harm, or self injury, it is an intentional injury to oneself without the intention of suicide. The most common type of self harm is cutting of arms with sharp blades, knife or other instruments. Other types of self harm are burning oneself (typically with cigarette butts), banging the head against a wall, interfering with the healing of a wound, pulling out of hair, or eating non edible items such as sharp objects, or poisonous items.
Traditional self-harm behaviour doesn’t consider taking drugs or eating disorders.
The desire to self-harm is a symptom of borderline personality disorder.
However, patients with other mental disorders may also self-harm, including those with depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and several personality disorders.
Traditionally self-harm is seen in youngsters, and it starts by the age of 12 years and generally tapers off by the age of 24 years, therefore it is generally associated with teenagers. Older people (upto 45-50 years) also show this behaviour.
Girls show self-harming behaviour more than boys. It and can be easily hidden by wearing long sleeve shirts, or pants, as generally the cuts are made on the arms and legs.
Thus, many times children who self-harm are “normal” kids who are experimenting as others experiment with smoking, drinking and alcohol. Cutting is not normal behaviour and parents need to be vigilant.
