The clients at New Roads Behavioral Health have a variety of backgrounds. Self harm treatment is available for clients with complex emotional pain that may lead to drug and alcohol addiction. Many new clients come to New Roads looking for help with what seems like an obvious problem. Maybe their addiction to drugs and alcohol have taken such a toll that they have been hospitalized. Perhaps their social life has suffered so much due to their behaviors that they just can’t seem to function on their own any more. The root of these problems can be trauma, abuse, feelings of neglect and hopelessness, among others. One of the most positive outcomes for seeking treatment can be going through the full evaluation process and actually discovering a chemical imbalance, processing a trauma, a disorder or mental health concern. Many clients have the “ah-ha” moment when things click, they finally understand why they exhibit certain behaviors and they realize that it is possible to develop healthy behaviors to replace the destructive ones.
Self Harm Diagnosis / Who It Affects
Young adult addiction is a complex plague that is haunting our society. The prevalence of self destructive behaviors can be a result of experiences dealing with trauma, a family history of addictive behaviors, chemical imbalances like depression or even developmental disorders. Those that engage in self-harm, like cutting, may be experiencing such intense emotional distress that they do not know how to process them. Ignoring episodes of self destructive behaviors can be a big misstep in self harm treatment as the rate of suicide can be higher in those that exhibit self harm behaviors. With the process of dual diagnosis, uncovering co-occurring mental health concerns in those that exhibit self harm behaviors can lead to a diagnosis like major depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse or eating disorders. Ultimately self harm treatment must be individualized to set up success.
Self harm behavior can be a symptom of several psychiatric illnesses: personality disorders (esp. borderline personality disorder); bipolar disorder (manic depression); major depression; anxiety disorders (esp. obsessive-compulsive disorder); as well as psychoses such as schizophrenia.
Mental Health America : Self Injury
The prevalence of self harm behaviors among adolescents in the United States is as many as 37%. This is drastically higher than other countries surveyed from around the world. Canada trails the US with 17% of the adolescent population and Japan is next at 9%. What is even more unfortunate is that only 50% of those that exhibit self harm behaviors seek help. For young adults, self harm behaviors may be exhibited because they are living with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Studies conducted in children have found that self harm behaviors are 10% more likely in children and adolescents that have an intellectual disability like attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). The prevalence of bullying in school, family conflicts and poverty levels have also shown to increase the likelihood of self harm behavior.
It’s estimated that about two million people in the U.S. injure themselves in some way. The majority are teenagers or young adults with young women outnumbering young men. They are of all races and backgrounds.
Mental Health America : Self Injury
Unfortunately, those who abuse drugs and alcohol may have a history of self harm behaviors. Studies have found a higher rate of self harm among those that abuse drugs and alcohol with the rate of suicide growing within this demographic. These are not things to take lightly. Adolescence and young adults have hardly had enough time to develop the skills necessary to cope with these complex issues. They can be completely overwhelmed by the feelings they experience.
Warning Signs for Self Harm
There are a variety of behaviors to be mindful of. If you or some one you love experience any of the following behaviors, they may be exhibiting symptoms of a mental health disorder or reaching out for help with emotional pain.
- Impulsive behaviors
- Being secretive, distrusting
- Low self esteem
- Family dysfunction / conflict
- Relationship problems
- Low regard to consequences
- Disassociation
- Poor performance at school / work
For those that are living with developmental or intellectual conditions, it is important to acknowlege that the behaviors they exhibit are not easy to gain control of without proper treatment. Often substance abuse is used as a way to self medicate and self harm with the benefit of hiding the symptoms of their condition. Drugs and alcohol can decrease the intensity of emotional pain, but it is only temporary. The chemical imbalances in the brain can make taking control of self harm behaviors difficult. Depression, which is a chemical imbalance, cannot simply be conquered with positive thinking. That would be like asking a diabetic to go without insulin for their medical condition. The mind also works with chemicals and needs help to regulate when there is an imbalance.
Getting Help for Self Harm
As sensitive and complex as these behaviors are, there is always hope. With a commitment to self harm treatment, those that have self destructive behaviors can find ways to cope with emotions, process through difficult times and learn the skills necessary to regain independence. The treatment for cutters and those that self harm involves intense evaluations, dual diagnosis, residential treatment or outpatient treatment depending on the severity of the individual. Transitional treatment options can also aid in successful recovery.
The effective treatment of self-injury is most often a combination of medication, cognitive/behavioral therapy, and interpersonal therapy, supplemented by other treatment services as needed. Medication is often useful in the management of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and the racing thoughts that may accompany self-injury. Cognitive/behavioral therapy helps individuals understand and manage their destructive thoughts and behaviors. Contracts, journals, and behavior logs are useful tools for regaining self-control. Interpersonal therapy assists individuals in gaining insight and skills for the development and maintenance of relationships. Services for eating disorders, alcohol/substance abuse, trauma abuse, and family therapy should be readily available and integrated into treatment, depending on individual needs.
Treatment is a choice. When you or some one you love experience painful emotions surrounding self harm behaviors, it can be difficult to find treatment that is successful and permanent. It is important to remember that you are not alone. Treatment options are very successful and they can restore happiness at a level that every person is deserving of. Researching options for self harm treatment, finding treatment for cutters and treatment for psychosis can lead to a better life. Medications and prescriptions for those with chemical imbalances can help them gain the balance necessary for recovery. With depression and other disorders, it can be nearly impossible just to “out-think” them. Even if behaviors change, they don’t last long without finding a solution for a neurological chemical imbalance with the guidance of properly trained medical professionals.
There is no fault in showing others you care. Talking about self harm behaviors can be difficult, sensitive and emotional. Looking for help and finding the right treatment is a process. Trusting others to help may not feel comfortable at first but it is highly rewarding. The self harm and suicide treatment at New Roads Behavioral Health is not just one sided. The entire team of medical professionals is at your disposal along with a community of mental health professionals. They offer support for family with therapy and group therapy options. Dual diagnosis treatment ensures a proper mental health evaluations is conducted to provide the best recovery possible. By addressing all of the past trauma, family conflict, relationships and other events impacting behaviors, dual diagnosis treatment can lead to multiple diagnosis’s but most importantly; recovery.
You can do it, we can help. Finding treatment for you or someone you love can begin now. Call our admissions office and talk about possible solutions: 888-358-8998
Sources:
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/child-adolescent-psychiatry/treating-self-harm-children-and-adolescents
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/self-injury