Other actions such as reckless driving, drug use and promiscuous sexual behavior are self-destructive enough to cause us all concern. During my years in foster care, I saw a variety of destructive behaviors. Present reports indicate the problem is growing. It occurs in many folks during their 20s and 30s, but often begins in the teen years. Those most likely to be victims of self-abuse are kids with backgrounds of parental neglect, sexual or physical abuse and those with borderline psychological disorders.
Women also are more likely to self-injure than men.
When a child learns to hate himself or blames himself for his life turning out badly and feels hopeless, he sometimes tries to harm himself. The methods vary, but often involve cutting, burning or even hitting themselves. Drug abuse, eating disorders, promiscuity, reckless behaviors and even trying to fail are more subtle ways to self-injure. When we were foster parents, we witnessed abuse victims try to cut their wrists. There were times when boys in our home engaged in a systematic burning of their arms and legs with a lighter.