Lisa sat at the kitchen table, scrolling through her phone. Summer had arrived, but something felt off. Emily, her 14-year-old daughter, used to love swimming, but lately, she refused to go.

Later, while sorting laundry, Lisa picked up Emily’s long-sleeved shirt. She noticed faint, thin lines on the sleeves—like streaks of blood. Her heart pounded. "Oh God, no! Is she cutting? What should I do?!"

Cutting is becoming increasingly common among teens, affecting girls more frequently. According to the APA's DSM-5, "Non-suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)" is deliberate self-harm without suicidal intent. While cutting isn’t a suicide attempt, it signals serious underlying emotional distress in the child. Parents discovering their child is cutting often feel shocked, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to help.

Here are 5 key behavior

© Psychology Today