Self-Harm

Cutting that leads to self-harm scars is the most common type of self-injury. However, teens may commit other forms of self-harm. For example, they may feel an impulse to burn their skin, pull out their hair (trichotillomania), or pick at open wounds to prevent healing.

Rather than being defined as a mental illness, self-harm is a maladaptive behavior resulting from a lack of healthy coping skills. Therefore, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other therapeutic approaches can address the underlying causes of self-mutilation. Consequently, teens gain recovery tools to overcome self-harm triggers.

Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness, MedlinePlus