Self-Harm Treatment, Support, Help, & Diagnosis

By We Level Up | Author Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA | Editorial Policy | Research Policy

What is Self-Harm?

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Signs & Symptoms of Self-Harm

It can be hard to see when someone is hurting themselves. Self-harm is often done in secret. People hide because they feel shame and fear. The signs suggest someone may be self-harming. Others engage in it more often and have trouble stopping.

Examples of self-harm include:

• Cutting yourself, such as using a razor blade, knife, or another sharp object to cut the skin
• Punching yourself or punching things (like a wall)
• Burning yourself with cigarettes, matches, or candles
• Pulling out your hair
• Poking objects through body openings
• Breaking your bones or bruising yourself

Signs That Can Affect Personality in BPD

Who Self-Harms?

This is more about young people who live with anxiety and depression or with their environment. You are more likely to self-harm if you:

Why People May Self-Harm?

People self-harm for different reasons. You might self-harm to:

• Deal with strong emotions like anger or sadness
• Make yourself feel normal
• Make others aware of how you are feeling
• Punish yourself for things you think you have done wrong
• Distract yourself from feelings
• Get relief from feelings

Distraction Techniques from Self-Harming

Some techniques may feel uncomfortable or hurt, but they are not harmful or dangerous.

Examples of distraction techniques include:

• Holding ice cubes in your hands
• Keeping a rubber band on your wrist, you can snap it against your wrist whenever you feel you need to
• Drawing red lines in pen on your body, where you would otherwise cut yourself
• Using exercise to release pressure and stress
• Writing, drawing, or scribbling on paper with a red pen
• Doing meditation, such as practicing relaxation or breathing techniques
• Focusing your attention on something simple for some time may help your negative thoughts pass
• Talking with someone you trust

Complications from Self-Harm

Self-harming behavior has serious complications, like an increased risk of serious physical harm or accidental suicide. These complications can occur when a person causes more damage than they intended. Sometimes, people who self-harm may feel suicidal or stuck in a cycle of hopelessness. Self-harm is not a good way to handle strong emotions. Other potential complications of self-harm include long-term scarring, infection, brain injury, or organ damage.

We Level Up Self-Harm Treatment Center offers top care. Our medical team is available 24/7 to help you cope. We all work as an integrated team providing comprehensive treatment for self harm to support successful recovery. Make this your opportunity to reclaim your life. Call today to speak with one of our treatment specialists. Our specialists understand what you are going through and will answer any of your questions.

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Treatments & Therapy

Types of Treatment

There are different approaches to managing treatment and mental illness, which may include:

First, cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of talking therapy. It is based on the idea that your thoughts and actions affect how you feel.

Second. Medicine — Sometimes, the best way to treat a condition is with medicine. This can include antidepressants or anxiety medications.

Third. Psychotherapy and counseling help stabilize thoughts and feelings. They identify the cause of emotional stress. They also teach skills to manage distress.

You may need therapy from a doctor for physical injuries after a self-harm episode. You may be required to go to the emergency department in severe cases.

The Role of Support Systems in Self-Harm Recovery

A strong support system is often a cornerstone of successful therapy. People who feel understood, valued, and connected to others are more likely to go to therapy. They also stick to therapy plans and develop better ways to cope. Support systems can take many forms, from family and friends to professional networks and peer communities.

Family and Friends

Family members and close friends play a critical role in recovery:

• Emotional Support: Being a listening ear without judgment allows individuals to express their feelings safely.
• Monitoring and Safety: Loved ones can help identify warning signs of self-harm urges and encourage timely intervention.
• Encouragement and Motivation: Family and friends can help. They can support people in therapy. They can encourage attendance at support groups. They can also remind people to take care of themselves.
• Education for Loved Ones: When family members learn more, they can offer better support. Understanding its causes and triggers helps them be more caring.

Tips for Family and Friends:

• Avoid criticism or shaming; instead, use empathetic and validating language.
• Establish open lines of communication where the individual feels safe sharing their struggles.
• Participate in family therapy sessions if recommended by mental health professionals.

Peer Support and Support Groups

Connecting with peers who have experienced self-harm can be profoundly healing:

• Validation and Understanding: Knowing others have faced similar struggles reduces feelings of isolation and shame.
• Sharing Coping Strategies: Peer support groups provide practical techniques that have helped others manage self-harm urges.
• Encouragement to Seek Help: Group members often motivate each other to continue therapy or explore new Therapy options.
• Online Communities: Safe, moderated online forums offer accessibility to support for individuals who may be geographically isolated or reluctant to join in-person groups.

Some reputable organizations that facilitate support groups include:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Mental Health America (MHA)
• Crisis Text Line and related peer support networks

Professional Support Networks

Professional support includes licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors who specialize in self-harm and related mental health disorders:

• Therapists and Counselors: Provide evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy.
• Psychiatrists: Offer medication management when needed for co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, or mood disorders.
• Case Managers and Social Workers: Help coordinate care, connect patients with resources, and provide crisis intervention if necessary.

Engaging with professionals ensures that individuals receive personalized Therapy plans backed by clinical expertise, which significantly improves outcomes.

Building an Effective Support System

A robust support system combines multiple layers of care:

1. Immediate Circle: Family and friends who provide daily emotional support.
2. Peer Community: Support groups, both in-person and online, where shared experiences foster understanding.
3. Professional Care: Licensed mental health providers offering therapy, medication, and structured interventions.

Practical Steps to Build Support:

• Consider crisis planning, including hotlines and emergency contacts.
• Encourage open dialogue about mental health and emotions.
• Identify trusted friends or family to contact during a crisis.
• Research and join reputable support groups.
• Maintain regular appointments with therapists or psychiatrists.

Providing Support for Someone Struggling with Self-Harm

Helping a loved one who self-harms can be hard. However, your support can greatly help their recovery. It requires empathy, patience, and understanding. Here are detailed strategies and insights for helping someone in a safe, compassionate way.

1. Approach With Empathy and Non-Judgment

• Listen Actively: Allow the individual to express their feelings without interrupting. Show genuine interest in understanding their emotional experience.
• Avoid Criticism or Shaming: Phrases like “Why do you do this?” or “Stop hurting yourself” may increase shame or guilt. Instead, say, “I’m here for you” or “I want to understand what you’re going through.”
• Validate Their Emotions: Acknowledge their pain as real. Even if self-harm is confusing, it’s important to know that it often comes from strong emotional pain.

2. Encourage Professional Help

• Therapy and Counseling: Suggest evidence-based Therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Medical Support: If someone hurts themselves badly, a healthcare provider may need to check their physical and mental health.
• Collaborative Approach: Offer to help research therapists or schedule appointments, but respect their autonomy. Avoid forcing them into Therapy, as this may create resistance.

3. Create a Safe Environment

• Limit Access to Dangerous Items: Promote safe storage of sharp objects, medicines, or substances that could cause self-harm.
• Identify Triggers: Help the person see situations, people, or feelings that make them want to self-harm. Work together to create ways to handle these triggers.
• Create Safety Plans: Work together to make a simple plan for crisis moments. Include coping strategies, contacts, and safe spaces.

4. Offer Consistent Emotional Support

• Check In Often: Simple actions, like sending a text that says, “How are you today?” can help someone feel better. These small gestures can reduce feelings of loneliness.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize your progress, even if it’s small. This could be not self-harming for a day or using a healthier way to cope.
• Be Patient With Setbacks: Recovery is rarely linear. Periods of relapse do not indicate failure; continued support is crucial during these moments.

5. Educate Yourself About Self-Harm

• Understand the Behavior: Learn the psychology behind self-harm, including emotional regulation, coping deficits, and comorbid mental health conditions.
• Recognize Warning Signs: Being able to identify escalating behaviors or risk factors allows for timely intervention.
• Access Trusted Resources: Organizations such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provide reliable information for caregivers and supporters.

6. Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms

• Introduce Alternatives: Suggest activities that can redirect emotional energy safely, such as journaling, drawing, exercising, or deep-breathing exercises.
• Practice Mindfulness Together: Mindfulness exercises and grounding techniques can help manage distressing emotions in the moment.
• Support Social Connections: Encourage participation in hobbies, group activities, or peer-support programs to reduce isolation and foster belonging.

7. Take Care of Yourself as a Supporter

Supporting someone who self-harms can be emotionally draining. Your well-being is just as important:

• Set Boundaries: Clearly define what support you can provide and what you cannot.
• Seek Support: Consider joining support groups for family members or friends of individuals who self-harm.
• Practice Self-Care: Maintain your own mental health through therapy, relaxation techniques, and social support networks.

Top 5 Self-Harm Treatment Studies with Insights

Here’s a patient-friendly chart of the top five Self-Harm Treatment studies/guidelines.

Here is a helpful list of trusted Self-Harm Treatment studies and guidance. Each row distills the evidence’s implications for treatment into actionable tips for care teams and admissions scripts. Sources were selected based on their recency, rigor, and relevance to integrated treatment.

Getting Help for the Treatment

If you believe someone you care about is hurting themselves, you should support them. Show that you care about their well-being. Encourage them to seek professional help. Keep talking about their mental health by checking in on them. If you are worried about your loved one, talk to a healthcare professional. Let your loved one know you plan to share your concerns first.

You must see a counselor, psychiatrist, or doctor if you self-harm. These healthcare professionals can help you find what is causing your urge to self-harm and work through your complex thoughts. Early intervention can minimize damage caused by self-harm and decrease your risk of future episodes. Find supportive people you feel comfortable with, who you can talk to, and who will listen without judgment. If you have a friend or a family member you can trust, reach out to them to help you through this challenge.

Developing a structured support system is essential in addressing self-harming behaviors. Joining evidence-based treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help people learn skills. These skills can help them manage their emotions and reduce harmful urges.

Clinicians may also recommend a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder, are contributing factors. Setting up regular follow-up care with qualified professionals helps improve long-term recovery. It also lowers the chance of relapse.

Frequently Asked Questions