Self-Harming Behaviors

Sometimes, mental health feelings can contribute to physical ailments. When feelings are overwhelming or hard to handle, sometimes people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to get through them. One of the ways that some people handle difficult situations is through self-harming behaviors. Self-harm is an action that someone takes to cause intentional harm to their own body. While people who engage in self-harming behaviors may not always be attempting to end their lives, it surely has its consequences. West Coast Recovery Centers understands self-harming behaviors and works to provide adequate treatment to our clients who work with us.

Self-harm comes from underlying mental health issues that may cause someone to lash out or seek a distraction. It is important to know that self-harm can exacerbate symptoms of mental illness and cause people to isolate. When someone is struggling with self-harm, treatment is likely necessary to find the root cause of the feelings. Therapy and treatment can give people the skills to stay healthy and avoid self-harming behaviors. Being educated on self-harm and the risks will allow people to know when it is time to seek treatment.

What Is Self-Harm?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that “self-harm refers to a person harming their own body on purpose.” Self-harm can refer to many different behaviors that someone may engage in against themselves. The most common form of self-harm is cutting. Other forms of self-harm include piercing one's skin, punching or hitting oneself or other things, burning oneself, or bruising oneself. 

Many people say that when they self-harm, they get relief from the negative feeling they are feeling. Self-harm is often used as an unhealthy coping mechanism to treat, numb, or cope with daily life.

Someone who self-harms does not mean to kill themselves, but they are more likely to die by suicide or struggle with suicidal thoughts. The more someone does self-harm, the more they are putting themselves at risk. Self-harm can come from many different emotional places, such as struggles with self-worth or mental health. Someone who self-harms may feel ashamed and hide it from others. This can make it difficult to admit you need help or get your loved ones the help that they need.

Signs of Self-Harming Behaviors

There are some things to watch out for if you are worried that a loved one is engaging in self-harm. As self-harm may include stigma and shame, some people do not come out and ask for help when they are struggling. This hiding can make self-harming behavior get worse. Observing your loved ones for the following signs can help you be proactive in getting them help:

• Scars
• Wearing long sleeves or pants even in hot weather to cover up wounds or scarring
• Talking about feelings of worthlessness
• Fresh cuts, bruises, burns, or other signs of trauma
• Frequent reports of accidental injury
• Emotional or behavioral instability or unpredictability 

Risks of Self-Harming Behavior

The stigma associated with self-harm may cause some people to isolate and hide their behavior. This isolation behavior can cause mental health disorders to get worse, which, in turn, may make the desire to self-harm stronger. Self-harm risks include infection, permanent struggles associated with physical trauma, and possible death. If left untreated, self-harming behaviors can grow until they are unmanageable and can result in a risk of suicide.

There are also mental risks associated with self-harm. Self-harm can become addictive, and be difficult to stop. When self-harm gets out of control, someone may hurt themselves in a dangerous place or badly. Some people say that self-harm can be difficult to stop on your own. Once self-harming behavior gets to this place, it is important to get treatment and work through underlying issues related to self-harm.

Self-Harming Behaviors and Mental Health Treatment

It is important to understand the connection between mental health disorders and self-harm. People who struggle with their mental health are significantly more likely to self-harm. When someone struggles with their mental health, they may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as self-harm to deal with the symptoms of their illness. It can numb the pain, or distract, but it doesn't remove the core issues. Self-harming comes from underlying mental health disorders. Working in treatment and with a therapist will allow you to gain the skills that you need to stay healthy. 

If left untreated, self-harm can become a behavioral addiction. These addictions are just as difficult to stop as addictions to substances. It is important to get treatment for behavioral addiction to stop it from getting worse. West Coast Recovery Centers believes in the importance of offering adequate treatment for all ailments. Treatment will give you the skills you need to work through your issues and have healthier coping skills. 

There are a lot of reasons someone may turn to self-harming behavior to cope with their struggles. Oftentimes, it is an unhealthy way to cope with things they don't want to be feeling or to escape from their thoughts. When self-harm is left untreated, there can be great physical and mental consequences. Self-harming behavior can be dangerous and may require help to stop. Sometimes, people self-harm to cope with underlying mental health issues. Getting treatment will address the stressors and give people healthy coping skills that can replace self-harm. West Coast Recovery Centers offers many different mental health treatment programs that can help assist our clients with working through this struggle. Call us today at (760) 492-6509.