SELF-HARM IN ADOLESCENTS

Self-Harm In Adolescents



Self-Harm In Adolescents

Introduction & Background

Self-harm is when a person injures or harms themselves on purpose rather than by accident. The most examples are overdosing, cutting, burning oneself, pulling hairs, picking skin, and/or self-strangulation. It may also include taking drugs and alcohol. It is always an indication of anxiety, depression or other issues of a person, which is causing him to harm himself (Gratz 2003: 192).

The behaviors in which teens are involved could be cutting, scratching, burning, hitting one, head banging, and breaking bones. The evident reasons for such behaviors, seen in recent times, are to regain emotional balance, to overcome distress or tension, to cope with intense emotions, and to soothe or calm oneself (Palmer 2002: 10).

DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) is a form of treatment, which was first introduced by Marsha Linehan in 1990s that combines the therapy of cognitive behavior and several principles and approaches. The therapy was first developed to assist women, who were experiencing psychological disorders and attempt suicidal gestures without the intention to die (Pompili et al. 2006: 135). The aim of the therapy is to assist patients to make them more aware about their personalities and what is there position in the world of behaviors. In order to make them aware of their own personality, patients need to change to function in a better way (Nelson-Gray et al. 2006: 1811).

Sourcing Of Key Articles

The research provided below is based on the interventions that are attempted by adolescents with the intention to harm themselves. The key articles were sourced by online journals of health and medical. These articles typically included the studies conducted in past based on the rapidly increasing self harm adolescents. However, the research paper only includes different types of self harming attempts by young people. it does not include various interventions to address broader and social economic factors such as deprivation, and a disrupted home life.

Research Question

How can nurses use dialectic behavioral therapy to reduce repetitive deliberate self harm in an adolescent mental health hospital?

Nurses play a pivotal role for the development of an adolescent to live a healthy, peaceful life. In order to provide services, nurses need to plan a proper method to provide the child with assistance, and helping him to develop or enhance skills mandatory for a healthy life (Swenson et al. 2002: 176).

The concerns to be taken into account when planning provisions should include the adolescent's desire for autonomy and involvement in decision-making, skills of self-advocacy in the child with the opportunity provided to the child to develop and practice these skills, and views of the child in regard of independence and success (Gratz 2003, 200).

Nurses can ask young people what they think that is whether they want to get involved in the planning and delivery of health services (Brazier et al. 2006: 109). Their precise needs vary due to the difference in medical, social and cultural circumstances. However, nurses need special training to care for ...