Canadian Pharmacy Recommends Healthy Mental Care for Kids Who Self-Harm

Doctors have long known that some kids suffering severe emotional turmoil find relief in physical pain -- cutting or burning or sticking themselves with pins to achieve a form of release. Generic Lexapro can surely help these patients ease their depression and let go of hurting themselves. 

"Most young people who self-harm suffer from some underlying psychological disorder," said Jeffrey Bridge, a researcher with the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and the study's lead author. "It's critical to conduct a mental health assessment in addition to the evaluation of their physical health if we're to get to the root of their problems." 

"Between 8 and 10 percent of all adolescents are believed to engage in some form of self-injurious behavior," Bridge said. 

"I had one little boy that had one whole quarter of his head, he'd pulled out all the hair," said Mary Curran, executive director of Catholic Family Services in Crestwood, Mo., and a psychologist who specializes in self-harming behaviors. 

"It helps them deal with their feelings," Curran said. "It's a distraction for them. It's usually to give them something else to think about and something else to do with their hands." 

"There are other reasons, too," said Dr. Stephanie Sims, a psychiatrist with the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville. "Some hurt themselves to get attention, others because they're angry with themselves or because it helps them resist suicidal impulses. Some even hurt themselves to feel the high that comes with the body's release of hormones in response to pain signals." 

"The best treatment for kids who self-harm is to deal with their underlying emotional problems," experts say. "The key component of any intervention would be treatment of the underlying psychopathology," Bridge said. 

"That's why it is crucial that emergency rooms identify adolescents engaging in self-harming behaviors and get them therapeutic help," he said. 

"Once identified, kids can be treated using such psychotherapeutic techniques as cognitive-behavioral therapy," Sims said. "They also can receive pharmaceutical help through medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs." Then, to buy Lexapro is recommended. 

"But unfortunately," Bridge said, "the culture at most hospitals works against kids getting help during those crucial interactions at emergency rooms." 

"Previous research indicates some hospitals and emergency departments have no access to mental health professionals," he said. "Also, staff will often minimize the seriousness of self-harm, especially if patients have presented in the recent past." 

"It can be difficult," Curran said. "Kids are pretty sneaky about how they do that. It's very difficult for parents to catch it." 

"Ask them what is cutting doing for them," she suggested. "What do they get out of it? Ask about suicide, but don't assume that they are suicidal. Let them know you want to help improve their coping skills so they don't have to use cutting as a way to deal with their emotions." Canadian pharmacy stresses that hurting one’s self will only make things worse when dealing with emotions – face whatever problem is at hand and take things one step at a time.