Why Do Kids & Teenagers Hit Themselves?

If you have a child who acts out by hitting themselves, you likely wonder what causes them to do that and what you can do to help them. Hillcrest helps parents answer the question, “Why do kids hit themselves?” Our approach to treating mental illness in teenagers includes allowing them to attend different types of therapy modalities that help them uncover why they hit themselves and how to remove the urge to do it. Our residential program allows teenagers the space to heal while keeping the parents included in the treatment program.

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Why Do Kids Hit Themselves?

The reason a child hits themselves can feel mysterious, and even the child may have difficulty explaining why they do it. Why do kids hit themselves? It often has to do with one or more things going on. The child may not be able to express themselves through words, and hurt themselves to signal they have a problem or need help redirecting their behaviors to something healthy. Additionally, kids may imitate actions they see, including family members who hit each other. 

Hitting themselves can be an attempt to get attention, but simply saying, “Stop doing that!” won’t work because the child is expressing their pain, fear, or other painful emotions or situations. They need to be guided toward a place of understanding of their behaviors and healthy ways to get their point across.

Reasons Why My Child May Hit Themselves or Others

Teenagers and kids have an increased likelihood of hitting themselves or others if they witness violence as a way of expressing themselves or to try to control others. Hitting can also be a sign of a mental health disorder, which makes it important that parents have their child tested to get a full diagnosis of what’s going on. Approximately one in five children ages 3 to 17 was diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition in 2021. This number does not include kids who have one of those conditions, but their parents have not yet sought a diagnosis.

What Should I Do When My Child Hits Themselves?

If a parent catches their child hitting themselves, they should speak to them in a firm but calming voice. Ask them to explain what they are thinking or feeling in the moment, and assure them that you are a safe person to speak to about their urges. Children and teens who hit themselves likely need an evaluation with a therapist to determine the source of their urges and how to ease them. Let the child know that they can get rid of the urge to hit themselves by attending treatment that helps them gain real control over their behaviors. 

How Old are Children That Hit Themselves?

Toddlers and preschoolers sometimes don’t know how to express themselves respectfully and may hit others when they don’t have the words for their emotions. They may also hit themselves as a way of letting off steam, and they need their parents to help them use words to signal that their emotions have overwhelmed them. Kids aged 6 to 12 have better control of their actions and reactions, but may still hit themselves. The same goes for teenagers, who may feel overwhelmed when the urge to hit strikes. Regardless of their age, parents of any child who hits themselves should respond by trying to determine what is wrong and how it can be addressed through professional treatment.

Is There Treatment for Teenagers Who Hit Themselves?

Once parents find the answer to “Why do kids hit themselves?”, they want to know what sort of treatment options are available for their child. Mental health treatment centers typically offer help for adolescents who self-harm, including hitting themselves. This allows the individual access to several kinds of therapies, including individual, group, and family therapies, that help them understand what triggers them to hit themselves and how to manage the urge. Some teenagers also benefit from using prescription drugs to ease symptoms such as depression and anxiety.

How Do Residential Programs for Teens with Mental Health Disorders Work?

Residential programs provide a home away from home for teenagers who exhibit self-harming behavior as a symptom of having a mental health disorder. This can include anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, personality disorders, eating disorders, and more. The teen attends different types of therapy during the day and has downtime at night to socialize with their peers and relax. Parents are kept informed so they understand the progress their child makes. A discussion about any necessary prescription medications will determine if they could benefit from using them.  

Begin Treatment for Self-Injury at Hillcrest

Have you found yourself wondering, “Why do kids hit themselves?” because you have a teenager in trouble? Hillcrest helps bring adolescents together under one roof to work on healing their mental health and minimizing or ending behaviors like hitting themselves. Our skilled and compassionate staff builds bonds with teenagers that allow them to feel at ease speaking candidly with their treatment team members. We also offer family therapy, so the parents are involved in helping their child heal.

Contact us now for more information about how we bring families back together when a teenager is at risk. Let today be the day you reach out for the healing help your child needs.