Self-Harming in Lexington, Richmond & Frankfort KY

What is Self-Harming?

Self-harming, also known as self-mutilation, occurs when someone intentionally and repeatedly harms herself/himself. Self-harming is typically not meant as a suicide attempt, but rather as an unhealthy way to cope with emotional pain, intense anger and frustration. The relief that comes from self-harming usually doesn’t last long – it’s merely a temporary release for a bigger problem.

Signs & Symptoms

Because clothing can hide physical injuries and inner turmoil can be covered up by a seemingly calm disposition, self-harming can be difficult to detect. However, there are warning signs you can look for as listed below:

• Scars
  
• Fresh cuts, scratches, bruises or other wounds
  
• Excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn
  
• Keeping sharp objects on hand
  
• Wearing long sleeves or long pants, even in hot weather
  
• Difficulties in interpersonal relationships
  
• Poor functioning at work, school or home.
  
• Behavioral and emotional instability, impulsivity and unpredictability
  
• Statements of helplessness, hopelessness or worthlessness
  

Self-harming usually occurs in private and is done in a controlled or ritualistic manner that often leaves a pattern on the skin. Examples of self-harm include:

• Cutting (cuts or severe scratches with a sharp object)
  
• Scratching
  
• Burning (with lit matches, cigarettes or hot, sharp objects like knives)
  
• Carving words or symbols on the skin
  
• Hitting or punching
  
• Piercing the skin with sharp objects
  
• Pulling out hair
  
• Persistently picking at or interfering with wound healing
  
• Most frequently, the arms, legs and front of the torso are the targets of self-injury, but any area of the body may be used for self-injury. 
  
• Many people self-injure only a few times and then stop. But for others, self-injury can become a long-term, repetitive behavior.
  
• Although rare, some young people may self-injure in public or in groups to bond or to show others that they have experienced pain.
  

Diagnosis & Treatment Options

There's no one best way to treat self-harming behavior, but the first step is to tell someone you trust so you can get help. Treatment is based on your specific issues and any related mental health conditions you might have, such as depression.

Because self-harming can become a major aspect of life, a combination of psychotherapy, medication and psychiatric hospitalization is needed for treatment. If the self-harming behavior is also associated with a mental health disorder, such as depression or borderline personality disorder, the treatment plan focuses on treating those disorders, as well as the self-harming behavior.

Psychotherapy serves to identify the underlying issues that trigger self-harming behavior. It also allows you to develop healthy techniques for coping with feelings, stress or difficult situations. Individual therapy sessions, as well as family or group therapy sessions can aid in treating self-harming behavior.

Several types of individual psychotherapy may be helpful, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones
  
• Dialectical behavior therapy, a type of CBT that teaches behavioral skills to help you tolerate distress, manage or regulate your emotions, and improve your relationships with others
  
• Psychodynamic psychotherapy, which focuses on identifying past experiences, hidden memories or interpersonal issues at the root of your emotional difficulties through self-examination, guided by a therapist
  
• Mindfulness-based therapies, which help you live in the present, appropriately perceive the thoughts and actions of those around you to reduce your anxiety and depression, and improve your general well-being
  

Medications: There are no medications to specifically treat self-harming behavior; however, if you're diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as depression or an anxiety disorder, your doctor may recommend antidepressants or other medications to treat the underlying disorder.

Psychiatric Hospitalization:  If you injure yourself severely or repeatedly, your doctor may recommend that you be admitted to a hospital for psychiatric care. Hospitalization, often short term, can provide a safe environment and more intensive treatment until you get through a crisis.

There Is Hope!

Treatment is available for people who injure themselves. With the right help and treatment, you can reach a point where you do not feel the desire to hurt yourself anymore. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call our office today. 



http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/self-injury/home/ovc-20165425

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/cutting-and-self-harm.htm