How to Help My Child Stop Cutting
2009 November 23 by: Scott
This is the fifth ScottCounseling article on cutting and self-injury. This article focuses on some step-by-step approaches parents and cutters can use as strategies to put an end to the behavior of cutting. Other cutting articles by ScottCounseling include:
Cutting: Self Injury Facts & Statistics
What is Cutting & Self Injury?
Why Do People Cut or Self Injure?
Treatment For Cutting or Self Injury
Steps To Take To End Cutting & Self Injury
- Make an appointment to talk to your child’s pediatrician or doctor. This may be one of the hardest steps. It’s not hard to make a doctor’s appointment; but it may become difficult to follow through. Chances are your child may share with you:
- “I do not have a cutting problem and I am NOT GOING TO SEE ANYONE!”
If this happens, or your child refuses to meet with a trained medical professional, let that person know so that he or she can provide you with some helpful solutions.
- Teach your child that the first step to take when he or she feels the urge to cut is to tell you or another adult. If your child is at school, he or she should tell the school counselor or nurse. When your child tells you that she feels an urge to cut:
- Talk and listen to your child.
- Do not scold or lecture.
