Treating self-injurious behavior is important.
Causes and Types of Self-Injurious Behavior
Self-injurious behavior, self-harm (SH), or deliberate self-harm (DSH) are generally non-suicidal actions of delivering intentional injury to body tissue. The most commonly known type of self-harm is skin-cutting, but there are a variety of other behaviors, such as banging, hitting, scratching, burning, consuming toxins, dermatillomania (interfering with healing wounds), and trichotillomania (pulling hair). Self-harm may not be suicidal in intention, but some of the actions may be life-threatening. 40-60% of suicides have self-harm associated with them. Patients with self-injurious behavior may also have anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, or schizophrenia. Some of the patients may have no other disorders. It seems that self-injurious behaviors may be a coping mechanism for “intense feelings…stress, emotional numbness…self-loathing and low self-esteem”. Emotional and sexual abuse history may also be associated with self-injurious behavior.1 Self-injury could also be “an impulse-control behavior problem”. Patients with self-injury might have symptoms such as fresh cuts, bruises, or scratches, scars, and broken bones. Other signs of self-harm include wearing long sleeves and pants, having sharp objects, interpersonal issues, spending time alone, questioninsuicig personal identity, emotional instability, and statements of worthlessness. Patients may carve symbols into the skin, punch, bite, or burn themselves, especially in the legs, arms, and front of the torso. The behavior may become repetitive and long-term.2 Those who self-injure are not seeking attention, they usually don’t want to die, and even non-serious wounds are still a serious matter.3
Treating Self-Injurious Behavior with Professional Help
Patients should seek immediate help for self-harm. If the self-injurious behavior is life-threatening, emergency assistance may be required.4 Signs that a friend or family member is engaging in self-injury include unexplained scars and wounds, blood stains, “frequent accidents”, irritability, isolation, and carrying sharp objects with them. Any relief the patient feels by cutting or other self-harm is temporary and may lead to addiction or serious injuries. Patients might benefit from substitute behaviors, such as rubbing ice or using a red pen to mark where they would have cut, or even wearing rubber bands and snapping them instead. Professional therapy is also important.5 During recovery, patients will learn to track “positive things”, reach out for support, find a place (in life or in the mind) to feel safe, and learn that they are not alone. Therapists can discuss “triggers, (the) past, and the fears”.6 There are many treatment and addiction facilities patients and family members can utilize for treating self-injurious behaviors, as well.7
3, 5 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/self_injury.htm