HispanicVista Columnists

Teenagers “Cutting” not only school
 By Domingo Ivan  Casañas/HispanicVista.com
    September 19, 2005

 

 I recently received an email from a Latino reader requesting me to look into a recent trend of teenagers cutting themselves without any parent being aware of it.  The more I thought about it, the more curious I was to investigate this new blood cult.

 This parent which I will not name sent me a follow up email on how her thirteen year old daughter had been cutting herself.  She mentioned that her daughter had used the sharp end of a paperclip.  She did it during school.  Sometimes in the bathroom.  Most of the time she did it in the privacy of her bedroom.  Since she wore lots of black rubber bracelets, and arm bands the parents never caught on.  The mother remembers on one occasion she noticed the cuts and was told by her daughter that that she had fallen in PE, the cuts healed and no more questions were asked. 

 Fortunately, for the daughter her school had a psychologist that she went to.  The psychologist called the parents to inform them of the situation with their daughter.  They were shocked, to say the least!  The parents acted quickly upon finding out, and they took her to their family physician the next day who led them to a therapist for their daughter.

 She is still in therapy and doing much better.  She has had relapses, and has cut herself instead of seeking help.  The diagnosis is that she is suffering from depression, which runs in both sides of the family.  The daughter is a perfectionist and thinks the problems will be too much for the family to handle so she cuts herself.  This family is learning from therapy. 

 I took the liberty to speak to several psychologists and therapists on this cutting situation and this is what I found out.  First and foremost it is not a suicide attempt.  The teenagers that are doing the cutting are using the small blade of a pencil sharpener, knives, razors, the edge of a plastic ruler or paper clips.  The self victims come in all shapes, sizes, and color.  Many are girls.  They cut themselves but not real deep.  When healed, the marks up their arm or on their inner thighs may resemble the scratches made by a cat or brambles, and perhaps you would think nothing of them.  In most cases she wears trousers and has long sleeves, and is careful not to let her cuts show. 

 In most cases it is a public display and private self-abuse, a morbid secret and a public confession.  It is a problem that can take us all over this country.  In some schools it has almost become a group-led gothic kind of fashion-statement.  The self-abuser can look at it as a grungy display of hardness (look at the pain I can bear) and/or softness (look at the pain I am feeling inside). 

 Adolescents have always been known to self-harm, to attack their own bodies in a cry for help and as a sign of psychological disturbance.  They may cut themselves, burn themselves, bruise themselves, or they may become anorexic or bulimic.  They can also take and overdose and end up as a casualty.  Girls tend to harm themselves more than boys. 

 Latinos as well as girls tend to be at a higher risk for depression.  In many cases depression runs in the family.  Here are some signs to look for: 

  • Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying and wearing black clothes and writing poetry with morbid themes. 
  • Hopelessness, teens may feel that life is not worth living.  They might believe that a negative situation will never change and they become pessimistic about their future.
  • Decreased interest in activities, or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities. Teens become apathetic and drop out of clubs, sports, and other activities they once enjoyed.
  • Low energy and persistent boredom.  They start lacking motivation, and they miss School or classes.  Their grade average may also drop
  • Poor communication and a lack of connection with friends and family.
  • Guilt and low self esteem.  They start feeling as if they are not “good enough”.
  • Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
  • Increased irritability, anger or hostility.  They start taking most of their anger on their family. 
  • Difficulty with relationships.  They may suddenly have no interest in maintaining friendships.  They’ll stop calling and visiting friends. 
  • Complaint about headaches and stomachaches. 
  • They may talk about running away from home.
  • Alcohol and drug abuse.  It helps them feel better. 

 Here are just a few of the warning signs to look for.  I hope this will help you.  Remember, depression is a real illness that requires a professional to help.  Individual and family therapy is essential.  Many insurances will pay for the help you seek for your child.  It is a good idea to speak to several therapists before picking the right one. 

________________________________________

 Domingo Ivan Casañas is a Contributing Columnist for HispanicVista.Com (http://www.hispanicvista.com/).  Domingo was born in Cuba and is a Proud United States of America Citizen.  Domingo is the Author of: CUBA THE TARNISHED PEARL, you may read excerpts of his book at: http://www.cubanbook.com/ You may email Domingo at: LatinoAchievers@aol.com Domingo also writes Faith Page articles and is available for speaking engagements

 

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 Domingo Ivan Casañas is currently a column writer for HispanicVista.com and several local newspapers in his hometown Antioch, California.  He is an American citizen and a proud single father of three.  Cuba: The Tarnished Pearl is his first published book but definitely not his last.

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