Self-Harm in Adolescents: Understanding and Getting Help in Lahore
Compassionate, confidential assessment and treatment for adolescent self-harm, addressing underlying distress and building safer coping strategies.
Self-harm in adolescents is most often a way of coping with overwhelming emotional pain rather than a suicide attempt, though it always warrants compassionate, thorough assessment given the associated distress and risk.
Dr. Muhammad Shoaib Zafar provides confidential, non-judgemental assessment and treatment for adolescents who self-harm, addressing the underlying distress and building safer ways of coping.
Understanding Self-Harm
Self-harm is most commonly used by adolescents as a way to manage intense emotional pain, numbness, or distress, providing temporary relief, rather than reflecting an active intent to end their life, although careful assessment of risk is always essential.
How Parents Can Respond
- Respond calmly rather than with anger or panic, which can increase secrecy
- Seek professional assessment promptly
- Avoid focusing solely on stopping the behaviour without addressing the underlying distress
- Maintain open, non-judgemental communication
Treatment
Treatment focuses on understanding and addressing the underlying emotional distress, building safer coping strategies through skills-based therapy such as DBT, and involving family in a supportive, non-punitive way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does self-harm always mean my child is suicidal?
Not always, self-harm is often a coping mechanism for emotional pain rather than a suicide attempt, but professional assessment is essential to clarify risk in every case.
How should I react if I discover my teenager is self-harming?
Respond calmly and with concern rather than anger, and seek professional assessment promptly rather than trying to address it alone.
Expert Care
Dr. Muhammad Shoaib Zafar provides compassionate, confidential support for adolescents who self-harm, helping them find safer ways to manage difficult emotions.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and does not replace an individual psychiatric assessment. If there is immediate risk to life, please seek emergency care right away.
Common signs & symptoms
- Unexplained cuts, burns, or other injuries
- Wearing long sleeves or covering skin regardless of weather
- Withdrawal or secrecy around certain behaviours
- Signs of emotional distress or low mood
- Difficulty coping with intense emotions
- Reluctance to discuss injuries
Treatment approach
- → Compassionate, non-judgemental assessment
- → Identification of underlying emotional triggers
- → Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills for emotional regulation
- → Safety planning
- → Family involvement and support
- → Treatment of underlying depression, anxiety, or trauma
Frequently asked questions
Does self-harm always mean my child is suicidal?
Not always, self-harm is often a coping mechanism for emotional pain rather than a suicide attempt, but professional assessment is essential to clarify risk in every case.
How should I react if I discover my teenager is self-harming?
Respond calmly and with concern rather than anger, and seek professional assessment promptly rather than trying to address it alone.