We hear more and more in the media about self-injury experienced by teenagers through cutting or self-hitting — yet how common is this behavior and how young are patients when they start to do this? Barrocas et al. (
doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-2094) tackle these questions in a study we are early-releasing this week that involved interviewing a cohort of 3rd, 6th, and 9th graders using a structured interview format. The results are concerning in regard to the prevalence, gender breakdown and types of behaviors used by the more than 600 children and teens interviewed for this study. Is non-suicidal self-injury a problem in your practice? It certainly wouldn’t hurt to share your perspective on this difficult behavioral area either by responding to the article with an e-letter on our website or sending us your comments via our Facebook page.
