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Millions of teenagers throughout the world intentionally and repeatedly bruise, cut, burn, mark, scratch or mutilate different parts of their own bodies. Since the wounds inflicted are not intended to be life-threatening they often do not require medical attention and are frequently dismissed as "accidental". Girls are more affected by this problem than boys with a ratio of about 5 girls to every boy involved in the act. It is thought that boys are more likely to hit out at others when frustrated whilst girls are more likely to internalize their frustrations.

However there appears to have been a dramatic increase in the number of teens of both sexes who engage in self harming behavior over the last ten years and family and friends are confused, angry and frightened by these acts. Adolescents who self-harm often experience tremendous tension and anxiety before the act, along with an intense preoccupation with injuring themselves. One of the worrying trends is that what often starts out as methods of displaying frustration becomes in effect a habit. They continue with the acts even though the stress and anxiety triggers have gone.

In fact many teens report that the impulse to injure is irresistible and and occurs almost subconsciously. The teenager may feel little or no pain as the cut, burn or scratch is inflicted. There can be feelings of gratification, relief, comfort, and even arousal after the act. Despite the fact that many teens seem locked into the behavior and feel helpless to stop, self-injurious behavior can be reduced and eventually extinguished.

A combination of individual and family therapy, self-help strategies, self-harm substitutes and medication can help individuals reclaim a healthy sense of control over their bodies. To simply sit back and state that they 'will grow out of it' is wrong with many teens continuing the habit well into adult life.

The most common form of self-injury is by cutting and slashing, generally to the arms although the upper legs and torso are also affected. Other forms of self harm include burning the skin, limb-hitting and bruising, head-banging, picking at wounds, peeling the skin, deep biting, severe skin scratching, nail and cuticle biting, pulling out hair, bone breaking, swallowing sharp objects and inserting sharp objects or toxic liquids into the body. Adolescents may use razorblades, scissors and knives to cut the skin, and cigarettes, lighters and matches to burn themselves. They can also take seemingly benign

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