Health & Medicine
Self-Harm and Underlying Mental Health Issues: Study Examines Issue During The Teenage Years
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Oct 22, 2014 03:24 PM EDT
Statistics show that self-harm, including cutting, burning, or excessive substance abuse, can be the symptoms of an underlying mental illness. In some cases, women who are dealing with these problems may also be carrying traits of a personality disorder, anxiety disorder or eating disorder, as well--all of which can be emotionally exacerbated during the teenager years; a time when acceptance by peers is crucial at school and similar public arenas.
Recent findings published in the British Medical Journal reiterate this knowledge and examine the statistics further.
For the study, researchers examined data from 4,799 adolescents to examine the outcomes of self-farm for the first time. They found that around 19 percent of 16-year-olds had a history of self-harm. Unfortunately, in many case, these individuals had not sought professional help, yet.
Furthermore, looking at the progress of the issue some years later, many discovered that five years later, the issue had progressed even further. Some had turn to more self-harm with suicidal intent.
Findings revealed that teenagers who were more likely to self-harm in the future along with substance misuse problems, including illegal drugs, smoking and drinking too much, were more likely to be dealing with an underlying mental health issue that may or may not have been addressed.
"We've shown for the first time that adolescents who self-harm are more vulnerable to a range of adverse conditions in early adulthood. While we cannot say that self-harm directly causes such problems, it's certainly a sign that all is not well and professionals need to be aware of such behavior and identify it early," said lead study author Dr. Becky Mars of Bristol University's School of Social and Community Medicine., in a news release. "There is widespread lack of understanding amongst health and teaching professionals about those who self-harm without intending to take their lives. It should not be dismissed or viewed as trivial, as it could be a warning sign for suicidal behavior or other problems later in life. These new findings highlight the importance of self-harm and the need for better understanding among professionals likely to come across youngsters who self-harm."
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First Posted: Oct 22, 2014 03:24 PM EDT
Statistics show that self-harm, including cutting, burning, or excessive substance abuse, can be the symptoms of an underlying mental illness. In some cases, women who are dealing with these problems may also be carrying traits of a personality disorder, anxiety disorder or eating disorder, as well--all of which can be emotionally exacerbated during the teenager years; a time when acceptance by peers is crucial at school and similar public arenas.
Recent findings published in the British Medical Journal reiterate this knowledge and examine the statistics further.
For the study, researchers examined data from 4,799 adolescents to examine the outcomes of self-farm for the first time. They found that around 19 percent of 16-year-olds had a history of self-harm. Unfortunately, in many case, these individuals had not sought professional help, yet.
Furthermore, looking at the progress of the issue some years later, many discovered that five years later, the issue had progressed even further. Some had turn to more self-harm with suicidal intent.
Findings revealed that teenagers who were more likely to self-harm in the future along with substance misuse problems, including illegal drugs, smoking and drinking too much, were more likely to be dealing with an underlying mental health issue that may or may not have been addressed.
"We've shown for the first time that adolescents who self-harm are more vulnerable to a range of adverse conditions in early adulthood. While we cannot say that self-harm directly causes such problems, it's certainly a sign that all is not well and professionals need to be aware of such behavior and identify it early," said lead study author Dr. Becky Mars of Bristol University's School of Social and Community Medicine., in a news release. "There is widespread lack of understanding amongst health and teaching professionals about those who self-harm without intending to take their lives. It should not be dismissed or viewed as trivial, as it could be a warning sign for suicidal behavior or other problems later in life. These new findings highlight the importance of self-harm and the need for better understanding among professionals likely to come across youngsters who self-harm."
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone