Abigail is 15. She never wanted to be a typical teenager: 'I was obsessed with not being normal and now I'm obsessed with wanting to be normal.'

Smart, creative, a bit of a dreamer with a passion for 'swords', she can quote The Lord of the Rings word for word. Brought up in a happy, loving family, Abigail couldn't bring herself to tell her mum, who is training to be a psychotherapist, about her self-injury because, 'It would destroy the happy family life.'

Abigail cuts her legs and sometimes pulls out her hair or punches herself. She was recently diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – sometimes she sees stuff, intrusive images that make her feel anxious.

Clare and Larry, her mum and dad, have always tried to be sympathetic and understanding and have resisted removing Abigail's razors from her bedroom. But sometimes, it's hard and when Larry decides one day to search her room, all hell breaks loose. In Clare's words, 'What are you supposed to do as a parent? I mean is there a book?'