Sense of failure: the scale of teenage self-harm

Far more British teenagers than previously thought are inflicting injuries on themselves because of feelings of failure and social inadequacy, according to research by mental health experts. A survey published today by The Priory, which specialises in treating mental health problems and addictions, finds that as many as one in five girls between the ages of 15-17 has harmed herself and just under one in five adolescents - both boys and girls - has considered self-harming behaviour.

The survey of 1,000 young people between the ages of 12-19 titled Adolescent Angst also found "unacceptably high" levels of mental distress, associated with bullying and violence in the home, as well as evidence that more teenagers were contemplating suicide and being pressured into sex at a younger age.

Applied to the general population, survey means more than 1 million British adolescents have considered self-harm and more than 800,000 (13%) actually inflicted injuries on themselves.

Although it has been known for some time that Britain has the highest levels of self-harm in Europe and that young girls are more prone to the behaviour than boys, it was previously thought that, at most, one in 10 British teenagers indulged in the practice.

"Thirty years ago self-harming was a rarity, but it seems that today it's a way for many young people who feel like failures to relieve their psychological distress," said Dr Dylan Griffiths, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Priory Ticehurst House hospital, East Sussex. "The problem is self-harming is addictive. Once you start it can be difficult to stop."

A national inquiry into the prevalence of self-harm among British teenagers by the Mental Health Foundation and the Camelot Foundation is due to report next year. It was sparked by studies suggesting that one in 15 British teenagers and one in 10 girls had undertaken self-harming behaviour, as well as by reports from groups such as the Samaritans and Childline suggesting British teenagers are suffering unprecedented levels of distress.

According to Childline, the numbers of youngsters calling its helpline about self-harm has risen by 20% in the last 10 years, with a marked increase - 30% - this year. In 2001 the Samaritans found self-harm was a key indicator of suicidal tendencies, with 50% of young people who commit suicide having committed a deliberate act of self-harm in the previous year.

"We are already concerned that Britain has the highest levels of self-harm in Europe," said Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation. "We will have to look closely at The Priory's methodology but if the figures are as high as they say they are than we could have a real epidemic on our hands."

Experts say the reasons for self-harm vary. For some teenagers, the behaviour may be linked to exam stress or a general sense of not fitting in. For others, it is associated with family breakdown or abuse and violence in the home. According to Dr Griffiths, the increased reports of self-harm may also be a reflection of contemporary society and the media, with their emphasis on fame, celebrity and "instant gratification".

"Part of the problem is that we have a must-have culture," Dr Griffiths said. "There is no one telling young people that rewards come to those who wait. As a consequence they feel like failures when they don't get things immediately. Cutting yourself may be one way of relieving that tension and also punishing the people, like your parents, who you may feel are not giving you enough support."

According to The Priory, most self-harming is symbolic - typically involving small cuts that do not draw blood and are invisible to teachers and parents. The practice releases natural opioids which can be "incredibly addictive".

Mark Honigsbaum
8 November 2005

http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,16518,1652435,00.html