Should parents discipline their child for self harm?

[Youryeodongsaeng]

My mother nor stepdad wasn't showing any concern that their second daughter was about to harm herself.

Yes

No

Updates

+1 y

When she had started cutting herself, it was because her parents took her phone away from her because she was sending nudes and was recording herself vaping. She's 13. The next night, she woke everyone up with her crying for no reason.

[Anonymous]

Parents should show concern if their child is self-harming and should seek appropriate help. In many cases, if proper actions had been taken, many successful suicides in minors could have been prevented. Mental illness wasn't really a big focus during our parents younger days, so it's slightly more difficult to grasp and comprehend for them. You may want to consider being there for your sibling while they're struggling -- if your parents can't be those people, you should be. Punishment isn't a good idea for those struggling for self-harm -- it may only push them into a deeper state of self-destructive behavior and possibly make them feel like they're troublesome as opposed to cared for.

[Youryeodongsaeng]

She had cut herself, I think for attention because her parents look her phone away from her after she kept sending grown men nudes. She's 13.

[DizzyDesii]

I’d get them some help immediately. I’d try to comfort them and talk it out and see what makes them want to hurt themselves. If i’m not enough help for them after 30 days of family therapy, then i’d seek professional help for them

[Youryeodongsaeng]

I think she was cutting herself for attention. She got her phone taken away after parents found nudes of her and videos of her vaping. She's been diagnosed with narcissism and psychological disorder and my mom says she's been diagnosed with other things as well. I do know depression isn't one of them.

[TheorionMage]

Self harm is a last ditch attempt to end psychological pain. They REQUIRE intervention, their judgement is warped by ongoing depression. Skewed by promulgated idyllic 'Pollyanna' social romanticism.

The best meme I saw went: "You can't 'childproof' their World so you MUST 'world-proof' your Child".

My 'sheeple' parents filled my head with romanticist bullshit in my formative years and I paid DEARLY for their ELECTIVE naivete from 12-25 years old.

[BCA6010]

Absolutely has to be addressed and dealt with, but if a child has reached that point, then there has been some negligence on the part of the parents well in advance.

Will tell you right now that self-harming scars are worse than vulgar tattoos when it comes to hiring processes, and allowing this to fester can severely cripple the number of opportunities available in the future.

[ChrisMaster69]

I would say no.

I used to self harm and the last thing I would have wanted was that.

if I had been punished I would have likely ended same day.

yes counselling should be used and they should class the child as at risk if required.

[The_Maphio]

It's as wrong as going to kick the neighbor's child in the groin.
Education should make one well-adjusted enough to behave like a normal, well-regulated human being.
Those who like to hurt themselves for any reason are NOT normal. And should thus be recalled when they do so.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

No that child showing signs of self-harm needs to go to hospital and get checked at the ER by a doctor no parent should spank or discipline a child for harming herself that will only make matters worse

[_no_one_]

Since its more of an attention seeking thing than sickness in most kids theese days (I don't know how cutting yourself if cool but that's how early teens think) i'd say a little bit of grounding and a visit to a psychiatrist is a must.

[_no_one_]

But again, i do remember a guy from high school, who had strict parents, they didn't allow him to hang out much cuz he was found doing drugs (i think that's partially his parents' fault too)
So that guy was adrenaline deficient, so he started cutting himself cuz he wanted to feel that rush, wasn't too late when his parents realized and took him to hospital just to discover that he became adrenaline deficient cuz they forced him to stay home.

[TallAnon]

Discipline? Hm, not really. You talk to them, ask them what's wrong, comfort them, drive them to psychiatrist.

[Agape93]

No. Hurting them for hurting themselves doesn’t fix anything.

[acooke-13]

You do not discipline someone who is struggling, seek them help.

[Aimée__LJ]

Uh no... Why would you discipline someone for hurting themselves? Get them help.

[Anonymous]

Ah well, an heir and a spare, they say.. Now if it were their first daughter...
Seriously though, disciplining such behaviour will not work. Psychiatric help might.

[Anonymous]

They should turn the other way and let their child deal with their issues the way that they see fit.

[Youryeodongsaeng]

Without any guidance and support? My mother keeps thinking that my diagnosed depression is just a phase and isn't helping me one bit. She told me once my meds start kicking in, I won't be depressed anymore. I've taken two antidepressants in the past and they didn't help. I'm not sure about these two I'm taking now because they're making me sleepy af. I have to take them hours before I go to bed for proper sleep, though it tells me to take them every morning.

I have no-one to guide me through life. I don't think that I'm supported. I do think my meds helped me in a way.

[Opinion Owner]

If the child wants help, let them have it. Otherwise back off and let whatever happens happen.

[JesseJayNeak]

More like encourage not to do so. "Discipline" might fuel that instinct even morr

[JesseJayNeak]

*more

[ThePolishKnight37]

They should get them some help.

[exitseven]

The kid needs help not punishment.

[mattissebfan5]

They need to get serious help

[emperor90]

Yes cause that is dangerous

[Youryeodongsaeng]

Yeah, but won't that make it worse? Discipline someone for self-harm feels illegal. I know they know not to do that, but if it helps them cope with whatever, you could try to distract them so they won't do it again.

[BillyBalls]

They should teach that self harm is not good.

[anylolone]

Depends on what.

[Hotboy_booblover]

Really sad..

[Anonymous]

Phrasing...