APA Essay Contest
AN Essay I wrote in 10th for an contest. Topic was secret keeping, had to be under 700 words. Thought I'd share.
Painful Secrets
There are many situations when it is best not to keep a secret. Suicide, substance abuse, physical or sexual exploitation, violence, eating disorders, pregnancy, and self mutilation are only a handful of issues teens face today. I am most acquainted with the concluding topic; self mutilation. Self mutilation (also known as self injury or SI) is commonly thought of as an inconsequential behavior. Not only should this behavior be treated with additional caution, the family and loved ones of the self injurer should be made aware of the unsafe behavior.
Self injury has been mainly acknowledged in the media as “cutting”. Cutting has become more and more common day by day. Cutting is often ignored as a phase or fad. It has become a “no big deal” topic; cutting’s severity has been dulled. Jokes and insensitive remarks are made about cutters everyday. This is particularly unfortunate due to the secretive nature of self injurers, which brings me to my point: self injurious behavior is addictive and is often kept a secret when it is in the best interest of all for the cutting to be recognized.
Being dishonest about the existence of this behavior for any period of time can lead to a compulsion. There are endorphins released when someone hurts themselves (endorphins like those you would experience after a good run). Addiction to a secondary unhealthy behavior, such as self injury, can lead to more dangerous behaviors for example drug use. Plus, addiction can lead to carelessness causing the risks to rise.
Not speaking up about self injurious behavior is immensely dangerous. Someone who is deeply involved in self injury tends not to be careful with what she uses. Most cutters, for example, do not carry a knife or razor 24/7. A cutter may use whatever is handy. A pair scissors, a row of staples, a safety pin, or even the sharp edge of a can are all possible tools. This could result in infection or a bigger problem if cuts go too deep, the person could bleed out and die. Most people understand that attempting suicide and self mutilation are not the same. However, someone who is hurting herself because of depression may advance to a suicide attempt if not treated.
I know a great deal on the dangers self injury because I self injure. I started in middle school, after a conflict with my best friend. We made up the next day, and I told her what I had done. Less than a month later my friend wanted to tell someone and I agreed with her. She told the only teacher we shared. Our teacher told a counselor, and the counselor told my mom. My mom arranged an appointment with a therapist right away.
I was glad I had my friend tell because I was able to get help quickly. However, once I was immersed in the alluring aspects of cutting (like many before me), I made a mistake. I was frustrated and I wound up hurting myself. I burnt my wrist, which was the most severe time ever. There was a big blister, so I had to tell someone. I had to be treated for infection.
The treatment was painful, and not the kind of pain that a self injurer seeks. My doctor prescribed antibiotics to help stop the spread of the infection. My arm now has a scar the size of a quarter that will never go away. I scared myself. I would love to say that it only took one big scare to stop, but I would be lying. Self injury is an addictive behavior, and just like all addictions can be a daily battle to quit.
I know a great deal about the harmful effects of self mutilation. Self injury is no longer a matter of consequence. This behavior can become an addiction and can lead to even more dangerous behaviors. Not speaking up about self injurious behavior is unsafe. When someone is at risk there is no such privilege as confidentiality. I hope that by knowing when to share the truth fewer people will be hurt. If anyone knows when not to keep a secret, it's ,me.
Painful Secrets
There are many situations when it is best not to keep a secret. Suicide, substance abuse, physical or sexual exploitation, violence, eating disorders, pregnancy, and self mutilation are only a handful of issues teens face today. I am most acquainted with the concluding topic; self mutilation. Self mutilation (also known as self injury or SI) is commonly thought of as an inconsequential behavior. Not only should this behavior be treated with additional caution, the family and loved ones of the self injurer should be made aware of the unsafe behavior.
Self injury has been mainly acknowledged in the media as “cutting”. Cutting has become more and more common day by day. Cutting is often ignored as a phase or fad. It has become a “no big deal” topic; cutting’s severity has been dulled. Jokes and insensitive remarks are made about cutters everyday. This is particularly unfortunate due to the secretive nature of self injurers, which brings me to my point: self injurious behavior is addictive and is often kept a secret when it is in the best interest of all for the cutting to be recognized.
Being dishonest about the existence of this behavior for any period of time can lead to a compulsion. There are endorphins released when someone hurts themselves (endorphins like those you would experience after a good run). Addiction to a secondary unhealthy behavior, such as self injury, can lead to more dangerous behaviors for example drug use. Plus, addiction can lead to carelessness causing the risks to rise.
Not speaking up about self injurious behavior is immensely dangerous. Someone who is deeply involved in self injury tends not to be careful with what she uses. Most cutters, for example, do not carry a knife or razor 24/7. A cutter may use whatever is handy. A pair scissors, a row of staples, a safety pin, or even the sharp edge of a can are all possible tools. This could result in infection or a bigger problem if cuts go too deep, the person could bleed out and die. Most people understand that attempting suicide and self mutilation are not the same. However, someone who is hurting herself because of depression may advance to a suicide attempt if not treated.
I know a great deal on the dangers self injury because I self injure. I started in middle school, after a conflict with my best friend. We made up the next day, and I told her what I had done. Less than a month later my friend wanted to tell someone and I agreed with her. She told the only teacher we shared. Our teacher told a counselor, and the counselor told my mom. My mom arranged an appointment with a therapist right away.
I was glad I had my friend tell because I was able to get help quickly. However, once I was immersed in the alluring aspects of cutting (like many before me), I made a mistake. I was frustrated and I wound up hurting myself. I burnt my wrist, which was the most severe time ever. There was a big blister, so I had to tell someone. I had to be treated for infection.
The treatment was painful, and not the kind of pain that a self injurer seeks. My doctor prescribed antibiotics to help stop the spread of the infection. My arm now has a scar the size of a quarter that will never go away. I scared myself. I would love to say that it only took one big scare to stop, but I would be lying. Self injury is an addictive behavior, and just like all addictions can be a daily battle to quit.
I know a great deal about the harmful effects of self mutilation. Self injury is no longer a matter of consequence. This behavior can become an addiction and can lead to even more dangerous behaviors. Not speaking up about self injurious behavior is unsafe. When someone is at risk there is no such privilege as confidentiality. I hope that by knowing when to share the truth fewer people will be hurt. If anyone knows when not to keep a secret, it's ,me.