Self-Harm
What is self-harm?
Self-harming is when someone hurts or injures themselves on purpose, often in an attempt to deal with difficult feelings, painful memories, or overwhelming situations and experiences. There are several different ways in which people self-harm - some use the same way every time, other people use different ways at different times. Some ways people engage in self-harm are by cutting themselves, overeating or undereating, biting or pinching their skin, engaging in risky sexual activity, and putting themselves in situations where they will be physically or psychologically injured, but these are not the only ways that a person may self-harm. People tend to hide the evidence of their self-harm due to shame, embarrassment, and fear of others finding out.
There are several reasons why someone may engage in self-harm. Some people have described self harm as a way to…
express something that is hard to put into words
turn invisible thoughts or feelings into something visible
change emotional pain into physical pain
reduce overwhelming emotional feelings or thoughts
have a sense of being in control
escape traumatic memories
have something in life that they can rely on
punish themselves for their feelings and experiences
stop feeling numb, disconnected or dissociated
create a reason to physically care for themselves
express suicidal thoughts and feelings without taking their own life.
How I Can Help
Self-harm is not a disorder on its own, however, it is a red flag that there is something deeper going on. I utilize a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy while treating self-harm. I use CBT as a means of changing core beliefs, challenging cognitive distortions, and helping clients build healthier coping skills. I use psychodynamic therapy to evaluate past experiences and emotions that may be triggering urges to self-harm. Using a harm-reduction approach, clients are able to lessen their symptoms at their own pace, as well as build skills for regulation in the future.