Somatization and Risky or Self-Damaging Behaviours

Somatization involves the physical experience of emotions. For about six to 13 per cent of teens, symptoms from somatization become so severe they interfere with academic, social, and physical development, and can also confuse teens, families and even doctors. In this presentation, learn about the "Mind and Body Together" treatment group, which helps people meet others with similar medical experiences and find out that bodily-felt emotions are very normal. Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), defined as direct and deliberate injury to one's own body without suicidal intent, is estimated to affect between 15 and 30 per cent of people. Participants will learn about the presentation of NSSI, including: who is likely to engage in this behaviour, how it evolves over time and how NSSI is connected to other types of self-damaging behaviours. Presented by Dr. Amrit Dhariwal, Investigator & Psychologist, BC Children's Hospital; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UBC. | Dr. Brianna Turner, Affiliate Investigator, BC Children's Hospital; Research Fellow, Centre for Youth and Society & Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria. (2022)