Understanding the complexity of adolescence, particularly self-harm in adolescence, can be quite a challenge. We are dealing with a stage often marked by intense transformations, both physical and emotional. Therefore, it is essential to be equipped with consistent information, appropriate strategies, and always in search of answers that can lead to understanding, support, and consequently, the well-being of young people.

Imagine being able to offer a significant contribution to the emotional health of these adolescents. Imagine having in your hands a powerful tool like clinical hypnosis, capable of assisting in understanding and treating cases of self-harm. Have you ever thought about this?

This reality is closer than it seems. The Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH) seeks to promote even more knowledge, training increasingly qualified professionals to deal with situations of this nature, based on guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA), aligned with scientific and ethical methods. It is worth remembering that “everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help.”

Throughout this article, we will discuss topics such as understanding self-harm in adolescence, its causes and consequences, the effect of bullying and loneliness in this equation, the role of family and school in prevention, and especially, the importance of identifying the signs. We will talk specifically about how clinical hypnosis can mitigate the impacts of self-harm in the life of the adolescent. Are you ready?

Understanding Self-Harm in Adolescence: Causes and Consequences

Self-harm in adolescence is a complex and distressing problem. It often results from intense emotions and difficulties in dealing with them. In this context, the causes can be varied, including stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness or rejection.

In a society that often stigmatizes the open expression of negative feelings, adolescents may feel that self-harm is the only way to channel emotional pain. This also explains the prevalence among young people with borderline personality disorder, where emotions tend to be more intense and unstable.

On the other hand, the consequences of self-harm in adolescence go beyond visible physical scars. The emotional wounds, often deeper and more lasting, can make it difficult to build healthy self-esteem and create bonds of trust with others.

Furthermore, this practice can become a ‘vicious cycle.’ When used as a way to deal with negative emotions, self-harm can create a false sense of relief, which eventually gives way to feelings of guilt and shame. This dynamic makes the young person feel the need to continue self-harming to deal with these new negative feelings.

Understanding this issue and its roots is the first step towards thinking about effective help strategies for this audience.

Increase in Self-Harm in Adolescence: An Emerging Issue

Unfortunately, we notice a worrying increase in the practice of self-harm in adolescence. This issue has emerged more frequently in clinics and is the subject of various studies due to its complexity and consequences.

Society is living in an era of digital hyperconnection, but paradoxically of individual isolation. For many adolescents, this is a reality that complicates their growth and development process.

More and more adolescents struggle with serious emotional problems, leading them to find in self-harm an erroneous form of relief. For them, it is the way they found to express their internal pain, which is often trying to be suppressed.

We also observe an increase in reports associating self-harm with anxiety and depression, central to the clinical practices of cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnosis.

It is important to recognize that self-harm does not happen in isolation but is usually a symptom of underlying problems.

That is precisely why we, at the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, are focusing on effective ways to assist in the treatment of self-harm in adolescence. So, if you are interested in making a difference and helping these young people, keep reading and discover how clinical hypnosis can contribute to this cause.

The Effect of Bullying and Loneliness on Youth Self-Harm

The problem of bullying in adolescence is one of the significant causes that can lead to self-harm in adolescence. According to recent research, young people who have been victims of bullying are twice as likely to self-harm. Bullying can be verbal or physical; however, the emotional impact is the same. Victims of bullying often feel marginalized and rejected by their peers.

In addition, the loneliness experienced by many young people can be a potent catalyst for self-harm in adolescence. It is important to note that loneliness should not be confused with being alone. The latter is a physical condition, while loneliness is an emotional state of feeling misunderstood and disconnected from others.

Many young people affected by bullying and loneliness tend to isolate themselves even more, creating a harmful cycle.

• Bullying and loneliness can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, creating vulnerability to self-destructive behavior.
• In extreme cases, self-harm in adolescence can be a desperate way to seek relief from this deep emotional pain.

It is important to emphasize that these young people need help. They may not know how to ask for help or may feel ashamed or afraid to take that step. Understanding the link between bullying, loneliness, and self-harm in adolescence is crucial to provide adequate support and prevent self-destructive behavior.

The Role of Family and School in Preventing Self-Harm

Family and school play an essential role in preventing self-harm in adolescence. It is important to establish safe spaces where the young person feels comfortable expressing their feelings of frustration, sadness, or confusion. Open and non-judgmental communication can be key to identifying possible signs of self-harm.

At home, building a trusting relationship with the adolescent is crucial. This means listening, respecting, and validating their emotions. Additionally, avoiding derogatory or humiliating comments and not minimizing or ignoring indications that the young person may be suffering.

In school, the preparation of educators is of utmost importance so they can recognize risk behaviors. The inclusion of programs supporting students’ emotional well-being can also be extremely effective in preventing and treating self-harm.

Finally, it is essential that both parents and teachers are well-informed about the causes, symptoms, and consequences of self-harm in adolescence. In this way, they can contribute to appropriate assistance, helping the young person seek professional support when necessary.

Self-Harm and Life Risk: The Importance of Identifying the Signs

We now enter a very delicate discussion. When we encounter cases of self-harm in adolescence, we must be aware of a very serious issue: these practices can lead to life risk. It is crucial to quickly identify the signs to intervene effectively.

In many cases, physical marks are the first indicators of something deeper that is happening. These scars can appear on various parts of the body, but they predominantly occur on the arms, wrists, and legs.

Self-harm is often a silent cry for help. The practice can stem from an overwhelming feeling of isolation, depression, or anxiety. All of this can lead to costly thoughts, which we need to be attentive to.

• Difficulty expressing emotions;
• Social isolation;
• Inappropriate clothing for the weather (to hide marks);
• Mood disturbances.

Identifying the problem is the first step. The next is to seek the necessary help. And this is where we can make a difference. Acting ethically and professionally, we can provide the necessary support for those in need, transforming lives.

Clinical Hypnosis: A Potential Tool in Assisting Self-Harm in Adolescence

Understanding the importance of dealing with self-harm in adolescence, the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH) proposes incorporating clinical hypnosis as an adjunct alternative in assisting these cases.

Why clinical hypnosis? It is an effective resource that can work on the ability of focused attention and greater responsiveness to suggestion, which can provide significant advances in how the young person interprets and reacts to their environment.

The use of cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and Daniel Kahneman’s “fast and slow” concept in hypnosis can enable the adolescent to interpret situations in a new way, helping them reflect and choose healthier behaviors.

• Understanding the origin of suffering
• Finding adaptive ways to deal with stress
• Improving self-esteem and autonomy
• Developing social skills and resilience

Therefore, clinical hypnosis has enormous potential to assist in the treatment of self-harm in adolescence. The SBH encourages all health professionals to learn about this tool, always reinforcing the need for its ethical and responsible use.

How Hypnosis Can Mitigate the Impacts of Self-Harm on Adolescents’ Lives

We now enter a fundamental part of our conversation: how hypnosis can mitigate the impacts of self-harm on adolescents’ lives. Hypnosis, when applied by properly certified professionals, constitutes a powerful tool in treating this condition.

One of the main strengths of hypnosis is its ability to promote deep relaxation. By reaching this state, the adolescent can distance themselves from the negative thoughts that often accompany self-harm in adolescence.

With a relaxed mind, it is possible to work on building better thought habits. Hypnosis aims to replace destructive thoughts with helpful and healthy ones. For example, instead of seeking relief in physical pain, the adolescent can learn to seek other means of relief, such as meditation or exercise.

Over time, these new thought habits can help reduce the frequency and intensity of self-harm episodes in adolescence. With this, the adolescent has a greater chance of developing a healthy and fulfilling life.

But resorting to clinical hypnosis does not mean abandoning other treatments. On the contrary, hypnosis works exceptionally well in conjunction with traditional therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Hypnosis is an additional tool in the therapeutic arsenal, helping to enhance treatment results.

Conclusion: The Revolutionary Power of Clinical Hypnosis

Understanding and addressing self-harm in adolescence is not a simple task. It requires patience, empathy, attentive listening, and above all, continuous updating. It is not the easiest path, but on this journey, it is extraordinary to see how clinical hypnosis transforms lives, invalidating pain by allowing young people to deal with their emotions in a healthier way.

This article brought to light much information about self-harm in adolescence, the reasons that can trigger this practice, the increase in cases, and the issues involved, such as bullying and loneliness. We emphasized the necessary identification of signs and the vital role of family and school in preventing this condition. All this while always highlighting the application of clinical hypnosis as a powerful and effective tool in treating this issue.

If you believe in the power of transformation, if you want to embrace a career capable of changing lives, if you are committed to the ethics and well-being of those who need it most, clinical hypnosis may be your calling.

If you want to open this door, if you want to make a difference in a society so burdened with pain and despair, we at SBH are here to guide you on this journey.

Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even have a new profession? Learn about the evidence-based hypnosis training and postgraduate courses from the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link: https://www.hipnose.com.br/cursos/. Accept this challenge. There are lives waiting for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can clinical hypnosis help with self-harm in adolescence?

Clinical hypnosis can be an effective tool in treating self-harm in adolescence. By helping the adolescent develop a greater capacity for response to suggestion and change the way they interpret and react to their environment, it can reduce self-harm impulses. However, it is vital that this is done by a properly certified health professional and within an appropriate therapeutic context.

What are the symptoms of self-harm in adolescence?

Self-harm in adolescence often manifests in behaviors such as cutting or burning one’s skin, pulling hair, or hitting oneself. Other signs may include changes in behavior or dressing habits, such as wearing long clothes in hot weather to hide scars. If you suspect an adolescent may be suffering from self-harm, it is very important to seek professional help immediately.

What are the causes of self-harm in adolescence?

Self-harm in adolescence can have numerous causes. Some of them may be stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, trauma, or bullying. Difficulty managing intense emotions or verbalizing feelings may also be involved. However, each case is unique and requires professional evaluation to determine the underlying causes.

How can family and school help prevent self-harm?

Family and school play crucial roles in preventing self-harm in adolescents. They can do this through education and awareness programs, creating supportive environments, encouraging open communication and dialogue, and collaborating with mental health professionals to provide resources and treatment when necessary.

Is it possible to overcome self-harm in adolescence?

Yes, with the right help and support, it is possible to overcome self-harm in adolescence. Effective treatments may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, clinical hypnosis, and other methods that help the adolescent develop healthy coping strategies, improve communication skills and resilience, and deal more effectively with stress and anxiety.