Teen FAQ
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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Self-mutiliation > Q&A
Posted on: 08/13/2008
Question
my name is kayla and i'm only 12. i cut myself because stress. it all started when my mom got with her boyfriend named scott. he would hit her and he was a perve to me and my friends. i need to know why i cut. i'm affraid it'll go too far.
Answer
Dear 12 year old, People cut themselves as a way of trying to relieve stress or cope with problems they do not know how to solve.
Your problem with your Mom's boyfriend does sound very serious and is not something you can solve on your own. Tell a trusted adult (physician, counselor, teacher, parent). You need counseling help right now before you "go too far." There are many other positive ways of dealing with your feelings that you can learn. Also if your mother's boyfriend is (or was) acting inappropriately with you or your friends, you should definitely report this to a trusted adult.