Self Harm, Cutting Addiction Treatment
There are a number of reasons why an individual may self-harm. It may be a way of conveying a message to other people about their distress, a way of asking for help, coping with stress or emotional pain, or a symptom of a mental illness like depression. Sometimes it suggests that you are thinking about suicide. Not everyone who self-harms is suicidal, but sometimes people die as a result of their self-harming mentality.What types of behavior suggest self-harm?
Many different types of behavior can be considered self-harming, including:
- Creating cuts in various parts of the body, commonly the arms, wrists, or thighs
- Taking overdoses of prescribed or illegal drugs or other substances that cause harm
- Using cigarettes or lighters to burn the skin
What causes self-harm?
People who self-harm are usually trying to relieve, control, or express their feeling of distress. Young people self-harm for different reasons, and sometimes it can be difficult to put those reasons into words. You may not know any other way of telling people about your emotional pain, or you might feel a sense of control over your pain when you self-harm.
Some people are more likely to self-harm than others, including those who have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, have had a stressful and highly critical family environment, or are suffering from a mental illness such as depression.
Counseling aims to provide other ways to deal with life problems, including better communication and coping skills. Sometimes healing can take time, so it is imperative to keep attending counseling even at the hardest times during the therapy. Accepting counseling is not easy, especially when one is dealing with feelings of guilt, anger, or sham--but remaining positive and maintaining the commitment to get better will get one passed this difficult time too.
