Lecture on Self-Harm Among Teenagers in Australia

Overview

• Prevalence: Increasing trend of self-harm among teenagers and young adults in Australia.
• Impact: Self-harm serves as a coping mechanism for many, despite being dangerous and opposed to natural self-preservation instincts.

Key Points

Personal Accounts

• Individuals shared experiences of starting self-harm at young ages (11-15 years old).
• Reasons include overwhelming emotions, school pressures, and family issues.
• Self-harm often starts as a response to emotional distress or peer influence and becomes a habit.
• Example: Alison Dower, began self-harming at 15, continues to struggle at 22.

Statistical Data

• University of Queensland Survey (2008): First national survey on self-harm.
  • Sample size: 12,000 people.
  • Result: 8% of the population had self-harmed at some stage.
  • Monthly estimate: Over 200,000 Australians self-harm.
• Age Group: Peak among teenagers and young adults.

Psychological Insights

• Fight or Flight Response: Triggered by amygdala in response to perceived danger, leading to fear and anxiety.
• Frontal Cortex: Functions as a braking mechanism to regulate emotions and calm down the amygdala's response.
  • Issue: For those who self-harm, the frontal cortex may not effectively regulate strong emotions.

Research Findings

• Self-Harm as a Behavior: Previously associated with psychiatric illnesses, now observed in teenagers without mental illnesses.
• Epidemic Status: Self-injury is viewed as a silent epidemic due to its high prevalence among youth.

Societal Questions

• Coping Mechanisms: Why do young people lack the capacity to deal with emotional pain without self-harming?
• Cultural Influence: Influence of internet and popular culture (e.g., celebrities) on self-harming behaviors.

Scientific Approaches

Neuroscience and Meditation

• Brain Plasticity: Idea that brain can change itself through practices like meditation.
• Professor Richard Davidson's Research: Studied Tibetan monks; found high brain activity in areas associated with focus and attention.
• Melbourne Study: Testing if meditation can retrain the brain to replace anxiety with happiness.
  • Methods: Electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brain activity before and after meditation therapy.
  • Participants: Alison Dower as a case study.
  • Findings: EEG showed irregular brain activity related to positive and negative emotions.
  • Goal: Use mindfulness to change brain's response patterns.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

• Course: Intensive meditation-based therapy to enhance emotional regulation.
• Evaluation: Participants assessed for psychological resilience before starting.

Conclusion

• Need for Novel Approaches: Traditional methods have not reduced self-harm; new techniques like mindfulness offer potential solutions.
• Future Outlook: Continued research needed to explore and validate new treatment methods for self-harm.