i don't remember the age i was when i first cut. it sort of became something that i did instead of trying to suicide. age 13 was my first attempt to kill myself and it certainly wasn't my last. i didn't learn about cutting from anyone it just sort of became this thing i did to make me feel better. it helps me to deal with the emotional pain that i can't express.

helping your son deal with his emotional pain will go a long way with stopping him from developing this behavior. cutting just makes you feel better at first. later it becomes something that your body craves. i often say that my arms are screaming to be cut because that is what it feels like. it is an addiction to say the least, but there are other forms of self injury that you should watch for. burning, pulling out one's hair, breaking one's bones, bruising oneself, etc. these are just a few of the types of self injury that people do.

good luck with your son and just try to make him feel safe to express his feelings without smothering him and he should be fine.