Self-Harm Treatment & Coping Strategies That Really Work For You

Understanding the complexities of mental health can be challenging, especially when self-harm becomes a coping mechanism. At the Forge Recovery Center, we understand the struggles you face and the importance of finding effective self-harm treatment options and mental health professionals.

This article will explore compassionate and practical coping strategies to help you or your loved one on the path to healing. By understanding and addressing the root causes of self-harm, we can work together to foster resilience and promote a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Why Do People Self-Harm?

When difficult or painful emotions and feelings threaten to overpower you, self-injury can offer ways to:

• Punish yourself

• Try to feel anything when you are generally numb

• Express or divert yourself from unpleasant sensations

• Reclaim your sense of authority

While self-harm may provide momentary relief, it additionally carries several risks.

• Concern about what others think about your self-harming activities can cause you to hesitate and feel ashamed rather than seeking help that could help you.

• You may feel embarrassed, helpless, or guilty later on.

• You may require immediate medical attention if you severely burn yourself or cut too excessively for self-harm treatment options.

The Cycle of Self-Harm

Self-injury generally calms the pressure build-up from constant distressing feelings and thoughts. This may provide temporary aid from the trauma and emotional distress an individual feels. It is vital to understand that this relief in the disguise of self-harm is only temporary since the inherent reasons persist. Shortly after, shame and guilt might follow, which can continue this cycle.

Self-harm might grow into someone's typical way of coping with life's hardships since it may initially provide some relief. This implies that it is critical to speak with someone as soon as possible to receive appropriate support and assistance. Adopting new coping techniques to deal with these challenges will help you end the vicious process of self-harming in the long run.

What Is The Medical Diagnosis for Self-Harm?

Although some individuals may seek assistance, self-harm is sometimes discovered by friends or family. A healthcare professional may discover indicators like scars or new injuries during a normal medical exam. There is no precise test for determining self-injury.

A psychological and physical evaluation is used to get a diagnosis. You might be referred for evaluation by a psychiatric care professional with experience with self-injury. This professional discusses your thoughts, life, feelings, and actions. A psychological expert may also screen you for additional behavioral and emotional health issues associated with self-harm, like personality disorders or clinical depression.

What Is The Recommended Self-Harm Treatment?

The initial step is to inform someone about your self-harming behavior so that you can receive assistance. Treatment is tailored to your unique concerns and any connected behavioral and emotional health conditions, like depression. Because self-harm can become a big element of your livelihood, it is important to seek help from a psychiatrist or expert specializing in self-harm treatment.

If the self-harm conduct is associated with a psychological problem, like borderline personality disorder or depression, the plan of treatment addresses both the psychological problem and the self-harming behavior. Treatment for self-harm might take time, effort, and a strong desire to become healthy.

Mentioned below are the treatment alternatives to tackle self-harming behavior:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, often referred to as talk therapy or psychiatric counseling, can assist you in the following ways:

• Identify and address underlying problems that lead to self-harm

• Learn how to deal with stress more effectively

• Improve your ability to deal with strong emotions

• Improve your connections and social abilities by learning new skills

• Learn ways to improve your self-esteem

• Improve your problem-solving abilities

Various kinds of personalized psychotherapy or psychiatric care might be beneficial, such as:

• CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, assists you in identifying and replacing harmful, negative attitudes and habits with positive ones. You may also acquire skills that can help you deal with various situations in the future.

• DBT, or dialectical behavior therapy, represents a version of CBT that emphasizes behavioral techniques that can assist you in dealing with stress, regulate or manage your emotions, and help improve your interpersonal connections.

• Meditation-based treatments assist you in living in the present moment and dealing with unpleasant negative ideas and emotions. These methods may alleviate anxiety and despair while also improving your overall well-being.

Along with individualized counseling sessions, your healthcare practitioner might suggest group therapy or family therapy:

Residential Care

In case you injure yourself repeatedly or severely, your medical provider might suggest getting admitted to a medical facility for psychiatric assistance. Being treated in a medical facility, generally for a short period, can offer a safe atmosphere and more rigorous therapy until you recover from a crisis. Day-treatment courses for mental health that focus on acquiring behavioral coping abilities to handle distress may be an option.

Medications

There are currently no medications specially designed to treat self-harming behavior. Suppose you have a psychological disorder, like anxiety or clinical depression. In that case, your medical provider may offer antidepressants or additional medications to address the underlying problem associated with self-harm. Treatment for such illnesses may aid in reducing the desire to harm yourself.

Which Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes Can Help?

Along with professional treatment, consider the following self-care recommendations:

• Stick to your treatment strategy. Maintain therapy sessions. Use the abilities to cope that you gained in treatment. Take all prescribed drugs exactly as advised.

• Recognize the circumstances or feelings that may cause you to want to harm yourself. Make a strategy for alternative ways to relax, divert yourself, or seek help so you'll be prepared for the next time you feel the temptation to self-injure.

• Request assistance. Keep the phone number of your mental health physician ready. Inform your provider of any events involving self-injury. Pick out a friend or relative you can depend on to contact instantly if you experience an impulse to self-harm or if self-injury occurs.

• Avoid drinking and using drugs. They impair your decision-making abilities and leave you vulnerable to self-injury.

• If you hurt yourself, handle your wounds and get medical attention if necessary. For assistance and support, contact a trustworthy friend or relative. Share no items used for the purpose of self-injury. This increases the likelihood of infectious infections.

• Look after yourself. Understand how to incorporate relaxation exercises and physical activity into your everyday routine. Consume healthily. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you suffer from sleep issues, which can significantly affect your behavior and emotions.

Support and Coping Strategies To Reduce Self-Harm

Consider the suggestions below if you or someone you know needs assistance coping. If there is an indication of suicidal ideas, take immediate action and seek help promptly. If you indulge in self-harm, here are some coping strategies:

• Stay away from websites that encourage or glorify self-harm. Instead, look for resources that will help you with your recovery.

• Connect with individuals who can help you feel complete so you do not feel lonely. Speak with a trusted friend or family member, for example, or consult a support organization, your health care physician, or a mental health professional.

• Learn how to communicate your feelings positively. For example, becoming more physically fit or practicing relaxation techniques can help you regulate your feelings and increase your understanding of well-being.

Coping strategies to help a loved one who self-injures include:

• Try not to criticize or pass judgment: Criticism, screaming, accusations, or threats might increase the likelihood of self-injury. Provide encouragement, commend attempts to express feelings in appropriate ways, and make an attempt to spend a happy time together.

• Seek information: Understand more about self-harm to assist you in comprehending why it happens and how you can help stop this dangerous pursuit. Understand the methods and plan for relapse prevention that your loved one has made with the therapist or physician so you can encourage it.

• Show your loved one that you care: Remind that individual that they are not isolated and that you are there to speak with them.

• Help with the therapy plan: Urge your friend or relative to take prescribed medication if it is part of the treatment plan. Emphasize the importance of attending sessions for therapy and practicing new skills.

• Create a secure home environment: Prevent or restrict access to knives, matches, razor blades, and other materials that could be used to injure oneself.

• Ideas for coping strategies should be shared: Hearing the coping skills you employ when you are distressed may benefit your loved one. You can also act as an inspirational guide by implementing good coping strategies.

• Seek assistance: Consider chatting with folks who have been through similar experiences. Communicate your personal experiences with trusted friends or relatives. Inquire with your health care practitioner or mental health professional about local groups of support for family members, parents, or friends of self-injurers. Talk to a psychologist or therapist if necessary.

• Look after yourself: Spend some time doing activities you enjoy. Also, get enough sleep and exercise.

How To Prepare For Your Appointment

Your healthcare physician, school guidance counselor, or school nurse can be the person you see for the first time. However, since self-harm frequently necessitates expert psychological help, a mental health practitioner might recommend you for additional assessment and treatment. Prepare to give detailed, truthful, and accurate details about your circumstances and self-harming habits. If at all possible, you might wish to bring a dependable relative or friend along for support and to aid in memory.

How Can You Help?

To stay ahead of your preparation for your appointment regarding self-harming behavior, maintain notes of:

• Important personal details, such as any significant stressors or major life changes

• Your symptoms, including your triggers, period of your self-harming conducts, whether you utilize any sharp tools, and the areas of your body that you typically self-injure

• Every dosage of the drugs, vitamins, herbs, and any supplements you are taking

• Queries to consult with your psychiatrist or counselor

Queries to ask:

• What therapies are offered? What is your suggestion for me?

• What negative effects of that therapy are possible?

• What further choices do you have for the strategy you're recommending?

• Do you have any medications that could be helpful? Is the medication you're recommending available in a generic form?

• What should I do if, in between therapy sessions, I feel the urge to harm myself?

• What other self-help measures are there?

• How will I know if things are possibly worsening for myself or the people around me?

• Can you recommend any online sites that might enable me to learn more about my ailment and its possible treatments?

Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed to consult with other doubts and questions during your visit.

Expectations From Your Physician

Your mental health professional will probably ask you multiple questions, including:

• When did you start causing yourself harm?

• How frequently do you cut yourself or get hurt?

• What means do you employ to cause injury to yourself?

• Where do you self-injure on your body?

• What emotions and ideas do you experience before, during, and following self-harm?

• What causes you to hurt yourself?

• What improves your mood? What worsens your mood?

• Do you have any relationships or a social group that is encouraging?

• What emotional problems do you have?

• What do you think about your future?

• When you are depressed, do you think of taking your own life?

• Have you previously been treated for self-harm?

• Do you consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use illicit substances?

Your mental health professional may ask additional questions depending on your answers, symptoms, and requirements. You can attain helpful insights during your appointment if prepared with the necessary questions beforehand.

Struggling with Self-Harm? We're Here to Help

Self-harm is often a way to control the uncontrollable, express difficult emotions, and deal with traumatic memories. You’re not alone – with the right help, you can find better, healthier ways to deal with your trauma and struggles.

Facing self-harm is a difficult and deeply personal experience, but recovery is possible with the right support and strategies. By exploring the self-harm treatment options and coping strategies discussed in this article, you can take meaningful steps toward healing.

At The Forge Recovery Center, we are dedicated to providing the compassionate care and professional guidance you need to overcome these challenges. Guided by a trauma-informed approach, we offer you a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental environment where you can safely explore the roots of your trauma and build a life worth living.

You don’t need to hurt any longer. If you or someone you care about is struggling with self-harm, reach out to us today. Together, we can pave the way to a healthier and more hopeful future.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

January 23, 2025