Mental health complications sometimes include self-injurious behavior. When a person self-harms, they are doing to release the pain and frustration they feel. This behavior is not something people can stop doing. They feel compelled to engage in this behavior. That is why getting help for it is critical. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we offer a range of treatment programs that can help you change thought patterns that lead to this type of behavior. To learn about the treatment options available, contact our team today at 866.516.8356.
Why Do You Engage in Self-Injurious Behavior?
Self-injury or cutting occurs when a person deliberately harms their body somehow, such as cutting the skin, burning, or hitting themselves repeatedly. In most situations, this is not a suicide attempt. Instead, some people use it to reduce emotional pain, frustration, and anger when they do not have a healthy way of doing so.
When a person engages in this type of behavior, they experience a moment of relief. A sense of calmness occurs, or there is some release of tension. Once that moment passes, it becomes challenging to deal with life again. Most people feel shame and guilt for engaging in this behavior, which brings back their emotional turmoil full-on.
Know the Signs of Self-Injurious Behavior
Perhaps the most important thing is to notice what is happening to your loved one if they are engaging in this type of behavior. It is common for people to hide this type of behavior. However, some tell-tale signs include:
- Fresh cuts, bite marks, bruises, burn marks, or other damage to the skin
- Scarring, especially in a pattern
- Instability emotionally, unpredictability
- Running an area of the skin frequently, which leads to a burn
- Stating they are worthless or helpless
- Hiding legs and arms
People engage in self-injury in many forms, including cutting, scratching bad enough to create bleeding, burning, self-hitting, banging their head, or piercing the skin. They may also over-indulge in drug and alcohol use to the point of blacking out or becoming sick. Sometimes people will use symbols or words, but that is not always the case.
What Happens When You Get Help for Self-Injurious Behavior?
Mental health treatment can help a person engage in this type of behavior to look deeper at the reason behind it. For example, some people with depression disorder engage in this type of action as a way to feel something, or they may do it to make a mark that reflects the way they think and feel about themselves.
During mental health treatment, the goal is to understand why this is. Sometimes it is related to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Other times there is past trauma that has brought on the condition. In all cases, it is critical to understand what’s happened and then to create strategies for avoiding it from happening again.
How You Can Get Help for Self-Injurious Behavior
When you reach out to our team, we’ll provide a full assessment, determine your needs, and provide you with the right type and level of help. You’ll learn more about your condition, including what type of mental health condition you may have and how to manage it. Through therapies such as the following, you’ll gain confidence and stop engaging in these experiences:
- Behavioral therapy program
- Trauma therapy program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment programs
- Individual treatment programs
- Family therapy programs
Don’t Wait to Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston for Help
Self-injurious behavior is not something to overlook or push off, particularly if drug or alcohol addiction is involved. The more you engage in it, the more risk you create to your health and wellbeing. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we offer the tools and resources you need to minimize these risks and improve your quality of life, mental health, and happiness. Learn more when you call 866.516.8356 or reach out to us online.
