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By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter FRIDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) — Doctors have long knownthat some kids suffering severe emotional turmoil find relief inphysical pain — cutting or burning or sticking themselveswith pins to achieve a form of release. But researchers now are questioning whether enough is being done toreach out to these young people and help them before they dothemselves irreparable damage. One study this year found that six of every 10 adolescents who wentto an emergency room for treatment after harming themselves werereleased without receiving a mental health assessment or anyfollow-up mental health care. The findings were reported in theFebruary issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & AdolescentPsychiatry . "Most young people who self-harm suffer from some underlyingpsychological disorder," said Jeffrey Bridge, a researcherwith the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice at NationwideChildren's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and the study'slead author. "It's critical to conduct a mental healthassessment in addition to the evaluation of their physical healthif we're to get to the root of their problems." Between 8 and 10 percent of all adolescents are believed to engagein some form of self-injurious behavior, Bridge said. These children cut themselves with sharp edges, burn themselveswith matches, stick needles into their skin or under their nails,or perform other acts of self-mutilation. "I had one little boy that had one whole quarter of his head,he'd pulled out all the hair," said Mary Curran,executive director of Catholic Family Services in Crestwood, Mo.,and a psychologist who specializes in self-harming behaviors. Kids most often hurt themselves like this to deal with emotionalproblems such as stress or depression. "It helps them deal with their feelings," Curran said."It's a distraction for them. It's usually togive them something else to think about and something else to dowith their hands." There are other reasons, too, said Dr. Stephanie Sims, apsychiatrist with the University of Florida College of Medicine inJacksonville. Some hurt themselves to get attention, others becausethey're angry with themselves or because it helps them resistsuicidal impulses. Some even hurt themselves to feel the"high" that comes with the body's release ofhormones in response to pain signals. The best treatment for kids who self-harm is to deal with theirunderlying emotional problems, experts say. "The keycomponent of any intervention would be treatment of the underlyingpsychopathology," Bridge said. That's why it is crucial that emergency rooms identifyadolescents engaging in self-harming behaviors and get themtherapeutic help, he said. Once identified, kids can be treated using such psychotherapeutictechniques as cognitive-behavioral therapy, Sims said. They alsocan receive pharmaceutical help through medications such asantidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. But unfortunately, Bridge said, the culture at most hospitals worksagainst kids getting help during those crucial interactions atemergency rooms. "Previous research indicates some hospitals and emergencydepartments have no access to mental health professionals,"he said. "Also, staff will often minimize the seriousness ofself-harm, especially if patients have presented in the recentpast." That makes it all the more important that parents pay attention topotential warning signs. These include: Kids wearing unseasonably warm clothes that cover their bodies."That could tip you off that there's something on thechild's body that they're trying to hide," Simssaid. Unusual cuts, scrapes or bruises on an adolescent's body. Expressions of anxiety, depression or hopelessness. "It can be difficult," Curran said. "Kids arepretty sneaky about how they do that. It's very difficult forparents to catch it." Sims recommends that parents who think they see warning signsapproach their kids with "respectful curiosity." "Ask them what is cutting doing for them," shesuggested. "What do they get out of it? Ask about suicide,but don't assume that they are suicidal. Let them know youwant to help improve their coping skills so they don't haveto use cutting as a way to deal with their emotions." More information The KidsHealth website of the Nemours Foundation has more on cutting . SOURCES: Jeffrey A. Bridge, Ph.D., researcher, Center forInnovation in Pediatric Practice, Nationwide Children'sHospital, Columbus, Ohio; Mary Curran, Ph.D., executive director,Catholic Family Services, Crestwood, Mo.; Stephanie Sims, M.D.,psychiatrist, University of Florida College of Medicine,Jacksonville, Fla.; February 2012, Journal of the American Academy of Child & AdolescentPsychiatry Last Updated: May 25, 2012 Copyright 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. I am an expert from epdm-rubberseal.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Marine Rubber Seal Manufacturer , EPDM Sealing Strip, Extruded Rubber Seal,and more.
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