Teenage self-mutilation is usually an adrenaline and dopamine-fueled escapism from problems real and imagined. Once "sufferers" find a new outlet (alcohol, marijuana, drugs, sex with other people, etc) self cutting and burning tend to drop off completely.
Why? Mostly because of the way the brain functions. Most pain and pleasure sensations are both situated in the anterior cortex, crossed neurons are common. Also teenage brains produce norepinephrine and serotonin (among other lesser chemicals) in incredibly large amounts compared to adults. These chemicals effect neural transmitters and in a way everything that a teenager experiences is "larger than life" (If you've never seen a 14 year old fall in love it can be pretty scary).




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