How to Prevent Self-Harm Behaviors

There are few things more painful than watching someone you love deal with something as painful and complicated as self-harm. Self-harm behaviors are a deeply misunderstood experience that can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. While often associated with pain and distress, self-harming behaviors can also be ways for individuals to cope with overwhelming emotions or situations. By better understanding what self-harm is, learning to recognize its signs, and addressing the myths surrounding it, we can take important steps in preventing self-harm and promoting recovery. 

Self-harm is a result of a serious mental health problem that must be addressed. Therapy, a proper support system, and learning healthy coping mechanisms are all ways to help prevent more self-harming behaviors in the future. 

If you or someone you know is currently dealing with self-harm, you likely know what an isolating experience it can be. The good news is that there are resources and treatment options available. At Profound Treatment in Los Angeles, California, we will support you while helping to provide the treatment necessary to move forward. 

Understanding Self-Harm Behaviors: What They Are and Why They Happen

Self-harm involves deliberately causing harm to your own body, typically without the intent of suicide. However, it is important to acknowledge that some people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide may also engage in self-harming behaviors. 

People may engage in self-harm for a variety of different complex reasons. These reasons may not make a lot of sense to other people who don’t struggle with self-harming behaviors. They may include trying to cope with intense emotions, psychological pain, or stress. Some people may also engage in self-harm as an attempt to punish themselves when they feel they have let themselves down or disappointed themselves. 

Other people may turn to self-harm as a way to distract themselves from certain negative emotions they may be experiencing. This could include feelings of loneliness, sadness, anger, or frustration. While self-harm may not necessarily be considered a suicide attempt, it is considered an incredibly dangerous and damaging coping mechanism. It is also a sign of deep-rooted emotional struggles that require professional attention and support. 

If you’ve never struggled with self-harming behavior before, it can be challenging to understand why someone may do something like this to themselves. However, compassion and empathy are very important when trying to support someone struggling with self-harm. Educating yourself on what exactly self-harm is and why it occurs can help to promote greater understanding. 

Recognizing the Signs of Self-Harm Behaviors

Learning to recognize the signs of self-harm behaviors is crucial because it can help you to learn how to help others who may be struggling. While most people engage in self-harm in only a very private setting and may try to keep their behavior a secret, there are often still signs you can look out for. These signs can include behavioral, physical, and emotional signs that someone may be struggling. 

It’s important to note that these signs will often vary depending on the person. Some people may be very good at hiding their self-harm behavior from others. However, for others, this might be more noticeable. 

Some physical signs that someone may be struggling with self-harm may include the following: 

• Unexplained injuries
• Cuts, bruises, scars, or burns that are typically located on areas that can be easily hidden by clothing (for example, on wrists or thighs)
• Wearing long or heavy clothing, even during warmer weather, to hide the signs of self-harm 

Some emotional signs that someone may be struggling with self-harm may include the following: 

• Frequent mood swings 
• Severe depression, or anxiety, or sadness 
• Low self-esteem 
• Feeling of hopelessness 
• Increased irritability 
• Isolating oneself from others 
• Extreme self-criticism 
• No longer showing interest in hobbies the individual used to enjoy 

Some behavior signs that someone may be struggling with self-harm may include the following: 

• Secrecy 
• Avoiding situations where injuries caused by self-harm could be noticed 
• Becoming defensive when asked about unexplained injuries 
• Frequently buying items that can often be used for self-harm such as lighters, razors, or other sharp tools
• Spending long periods of time alone in the bathroom or bedroom 

Common Myths About Self-Harm

There is a lot of misinformation and negative stigma surrounding the topic of self-harm. Myths about self-harming behaviors can be very damaging and can even cause people to avoid getting the mental health help they really need. The best way to dispel these myths is by increasing education and spreading more awareness about what exactly self-harm is. 

One common myth about self-harm is that it is considered a suicide attempt. This is not true. Some people who have suicidal ideation may also self-harm. However, many people who engage in self-harming behaviors do not have the intention of taking their own life. 

Another myth is that only young people engage in self-harming behaviors. While self-harm may be particularly prevalent among teenagers and young adults, this type of behavior can occur at any age. Anyone can experience self-harm regardless of their age, background, ethnicity, or gender. Adults can also be affected by self-harm and may engage in self-harm in silence. 

A particularly harmful but prevalent myth about self-harm is that it is an attention-seeking behavior. This myth is dangerous because it minimizes the seriousness of self-harm and mental health issues. The truth is that people don’t intentionally harm themselves in hopes of getting any kind of special attention. Rather, self-harm most often occurs in silence, and people may go to great lengths to try to hide it. 

Finally, it is important to acknowledge that self-harm doesn’t look the same for every individual, and it might not necessarily include physical harm. People can engage in self-harm in other ways. For example, this could include substance misuse or intentionally taking part in risky behavior. 

Identifying Common Risk Factors and Self-Harm Triggers

It can be hard to determine why some people may experience compulsions to self-harm. The cause of this kind of disorder is often very complex and involves a lot of different factors. However, there are some common risk factors to be aware of. 

These risk factors may include:

• Untreated mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder 
• Poor self-esteem 
• Experiencing neglect or abuse 
• Being the victim of bullying 
• Unaddressed trauma 
• Poorly managed stress

In addition to these risk factors, there may also be certain triggers that can cause someone to experience thoughts of harming themselves. They may include: 

• Being rejected by another person
• Experiencing conflict 
• Feeling overwhelmed 
• Experiencing memories or flashbacks of trauma 

How to Talk to Someone Engaging in Self-Harm Behaviors

Confronting someone you care about who you believe may be engaging in self-harm can seem very overwhelming. You may worry that it will affect your relationship with that person or that they will possibly become angry or defensive. However, this conversation could be the push your loved one needs to reach out for help. 

When confronting this person, it is important to remember to stay calm and avoid raising your voice or becoming emotional. Make sure to let them know that you’re coming from a place of care and concern and not judgment. Let the individual know that you’ve noticed them struggling and are worried about them. Ensure that there is help available and assure them that you’ll be there to support them along the way. 

If your loved one does agree to get help, make sure to follow up with them. Let them know that you’re proud of them for taking this brave step to better themselves. 

Seeking Professional Treatment for Self-Harm Behaviors

Getting professional treatment is very important when recovering from self-harm behavior. Working with a therapist can help you to better understand why you’re experiencing this compulsion to harm yourself. It can also help to get to the root cause of the issue. For example, maybe you have a mental health disorder that needs to be addressed. 

In most cases of self-harm, there is a deeper psychological or emotional problem taking place. To allow for complete and lasting healing, this issue has to be identified and addressed. Trying to treat someone who is self-harming without getting to the root cause of the issue will make it more likely for a relapse to take place. 

Professional treatment can help you to identify healthier coping mechanisms for stress and other negative emotions. It can also help you to effectively identify and manage triggers that may cause you to think about self-harm. 

Professional treatment for self-harm can occur in many different ways. One common treatment method is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps you to learn how to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors. Once you are aware of these things, you can then work on changing your behavior and dealing with negative thoughts in a healthier and more productive way. 

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can also be a great way for people struggling with self-harm to learn how to manage intense emotions. DBT focuses on skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance, which can all help someone who is in recovery from self-harm behaviors. 

The Role of Therapy in Managing Self-Harm Urges

Therapy plays a critical role in helping someone to manage self-harm urges. Even someone who has been in recovery from self-harm for a long time may still experience these urges from time to time. The key is being able to identify triggers and learn healthier coping mechanisms to deal with intense emotions. Therapy can help a person begin to understand the underlying cause of the compulsion to self-harm and learn how to address it in an effective way. 

Many people who engage in self-harm behaviors don’t know the specific reason behind why they are feeling the urge to harm themselves. They may only know that they are experiencing a lot of very heavy and intense emotions that they don’t know how to deal with. Through the guidance of a counselor, they can work towards identifying the root cause of their disorder. This way, they can address this issue and begin to heal. 

One of the most important aspects of healing that therapy can help with is building emotional awareness and regulation. Even once someone has begun receiving treatment for self-harm, they will most likely still experience intense emotions from time to time. However, they can learn how to identify when their distress is building and take steps to address it before it gets out of control. 

Working with a therapist can also help someone learn what healthy coping mechanisms for stress are most effective for them. For some people, this could be physical exercise or reaching out to their support system. Other healthy coping mechanisms may include journaling, creative expression, or meditation. 

The Role of a Supportive Environment in Recovering From Self-Harm Behaviors

Having a strong support system to rely on is an incredibly important part of recovering from self-harm behaviors. This can help a person to feel valued and safe as they work towards healing and building resiliency in recovery. A support system may include family members, friends, and therapists. It may also include people from a support group who are also in recovery from self-harm. 

It is important for those who are in recovery to feel comfortable reaching out to those in their support system without having to worry about being judged. Their support system should provide them with a safe space where they can always share how they’re feeling. This support can help provide stability, understanding, and respect, which are all important things in recovery. 

The Importance of Talking About Self-Harm

Talking about self-harm can be uncomfortable, and it is a topic that can sometimes be treated as taboo. However, talking about self-harm is one of the best ways to spread awareness and education. In turn, this can help to ensure that those who are struggling know that there are resources available to help them.

Anyone who is struggling should feel comfortable reaching out for help without having to worry about being judged. Spreading awareness can help reduce the negative stigma surrounding self-harm and other mental health issues. It can also help to promote open and honest conversations and break down barriers. 

One of the best ways to reduce the fear that some people have about the topic of self-harm is to spread awareness. This can be done by having casual conversations with those closest to you about how to support someone with self-harm. It could also include taking the steps necessary to educate yourself further about this topic and encouraging others to do the same. Even something as simple as sharing links to mental health resources on your social media pages may play an important role in encouraging someone to reach out for help.

Long-Term Self-Harm Prevention

Preventing self-harm over the long term requires dedication and continual efforts towards ensuring that your mental health is as strong as it can possibly be. Even someone who has been in recovery from self-harm for years will still need to take the steps necessary to ensure they don’t fall into old behaviors. For many, this will include going to therapy on a regular basis to work through negative thought patterns. 

Continuously building healthy coping mechanisms is also an important part of this process. These are tools that you can use to deal with overwhelming or negative emotions without resorting to self-harm. What these strategies look like for you may change over time. Attending support group meetings can be a great way to learn from other people who are also in recovery from self-harm. 

Self-care is another important aspect of long-term self-harm prevention. This involves doing whatever is necessary to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Even setting aside ten minutes a day to prioritize your needs can make a positive difference. 

At Profound Treatment in Los Angeles, California, we have helped treat people struggling with a variety of mental health concerns, including self-harm. We are here to guide you as you navigate the journey of recovery. 

Many people who are battling mental health issues are afraid of reaching out for help because they don’t know how they will be perceived. They may worry about judgment or people around them viewing them differently. By spreading awareness about mental health issues, you can do your part in ensuring that anyone who is struggling feels comfortable asking for help. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with a mental health disorder of any kind, our team at Profound Treatment can help. At our facility, you will be treated with the respect, compassion, and dignity that you deserve as you navigate recovery. Call (310) 340-2609 today to learn more about our services.