'Cutting', the act of intentionally making cuts in the skin with a razor, knife or other sharp object as a way of coping with strong emotions, came to the forefront of our society in the 1990s, when Princess Diana admitted she'd practiced this form of self-mutilation. Since then, thousands of young people have admitted to using this same practice to deal with the anxiety of school, depression over a failed relationship, or more serious troubles at home.

"More and more teenagers are seeking relief from daily pressures by hurting themselves, and cutting seems to be the injury of choice. 'We see it every year,' Hickman High School guidance director Ann Landes said."

Though some cutters are simply vying for attention, most feel it's the only way they can cope with intense emotions or anxiety. When parents discover their child has been cutting, the first reaction is often anger. Some will ground their children or take away other privileges like use of a car or cell phone. But the only thing that will really help is counseling. The teen needs to learn better, more productive coping mechanisms. Read more at ColumbiaTribune.com.

Learn more about the Emotional Pain and Cutting that many troubled teens face at ByParents-ForParents.com. ByParents-ForParents.com offers articles, advice, and help for parents of troubled teens.

Labels: emotional_issues, mental_health, self-harm