Studies indicate that roughly 13 percent to 25 percent of high school students have intentionally harmed themselves, with the behavior becoming chronic in an estimated6 percent. Often, a self-injurer will try to hide the wounds. Here are a few things to look for:

- Unexplained or clustered scars or marks

- Fresh cuts, bruises, burns, or other signs of bodily damage

- Bandages worn frequently

- Inappropriate dress for the season, such as long shirts or long pants worn consistently during summer

- Unwillingness to participate in events that require less body coverage (such asswimming)

- Constant use of wrist bands

- Odd or unexplainable paraphernalia such as razor blades or other cutting implements

- Physical or emotional absence, preoccupation, distance

- Social withdrawal, sensitivity to rejection, difficulty handling anger, compulsiveness