When noticing marks resulting from self-mutilation in their children, parents should not minimize them or consider them an attempt to draw attention without relevance. Acts of this nature can be linked to such serious psychological issues that, if not properly treated, evolve into even more complex situations. Hence the importance of resorting to professional help in search of more effective interventions that can curb the negative impacts of this practice. The considerations are in the Study on the Structuring of the Ego and Personality of Adolescents who self-mutilate, coordinated by Antônio Augusto Pinto Junior, doctor in clinical psychology and professor at the Fluminense Federal University (UFF). This is a research developed with the aim of understanding which emotional and affective aspects are related to this practice. The project originated from a demand by educators from municipal schools in Volta Redonda, in southern Rio de Janeiro, with a complaint that some of their students were self-injuring. According to the expert, a methodology was developed to understand this phenomenon, which has been affecting many adolescents and pre-adolescents in the municipality. Research The municipal schools indicated 80 young people between 10 and 16 years of age for the research, and 61 of them contemplated all the procedures and composed the sample. Through psychological tests and clinical interviews, personality characteristics of adolescents were identified and the profile of young people who use self-injury to deal with suffering was outlined. “The result of this research demands actions, intervention projects, listening and welcoming these young people who manifest this type of disorder”, said Antônio Augusto. In addition, another result of the research refers to the instruments used: mainly sharp objects were detected, such as a razor, sharpener and stylus. And the chosen body parts are mostly arms, hands or wrists. “Parents should watch out for some behaviors like constantly wearing long-sleeved clothes, even in summer. They self-mutilate, but hide the cuts”, says the researcher. He points out that it is also important to observe the presence of sharp objects, especially when young people are very isolated. In 2020, the Ministry of Health launched a booklet on the subject in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry. Aimed at young people aged between 15 and 18, the material gathered information, warning signs, prevention, protection measures, help channels, etc. “Self-mutilation, also called self-harm or self-injury, refers to damage to a part of the individual’s own body, carried out consciously (not accidentally) and without the intention of dying, with methods that are not socially accepted. Tattoos, piercing , earrings or other forms of marking the body for tribal rituals or for public display are not considered self-harm. The most common goal in self-harm is to relieve intense emotional pain. What the person wants is to reduce distress, even for a short time When hurting themselves, the person who self-harms perceives the emotional pain being overshadowed by the physical pain, giving an impression of momentary relief”, records the booklet. Motivation In 83% of the cases analyzed in the UFF survey, the motivation behind the behavior that led to the practice of self-injury seems to be related to unresolved family conflicts, such as marital violence and victimization violence. Among the forms of victimization are physical and sexual abuse, psychological violence and also the negligence of those responsible. According to the survey, this negligence is directly related to the percentage of young people who were not referred to any mental health care service, which exceeds 50%. The study also reveals that self-injury is associated with a depressive-type personality, which raises awareness of possible greater risks. According to the researcher, it can be a gateway to suicidal behavior or practices, if there is no care for mental health. Antônio Augusto points out that, in most cases, the person who diagnosed or identified the practice of self-injury was a teacher and not the parents. The research suggests that education professionals receive training, training and education for the early identification of various types of psychological distress in childhood and adolescence. Based on the results achieved, the study should develop into joint projects with the schools that sent the teenagers to develop initiatives aimed at preventing and combating the practice of self-mutilation. The initiative must also involve an approach around the prevention of domestic violence. “These projects aim to open a listening space, so that they are welcomed. And, from this welcome, they can, together with the therapist, understand, give meaning and re-signify this traumatic experience”, concludes the professor. *Intern under the supervision of Léo Rodrigues // Collaborated by Solimar Luz, reporter for Rádio Nacional in Rio de Janeiro.
Agência Brasil
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