Self-Mutilation Treatment at Bridges to Recovery
Self-mutilation has become a major concern in America. Intentional self-harm, without the wish to die is the simple definition of self-mutilation. Many times, people think that self-mutilation means cutting on themselves, however it is much more that that. Self-mutilation can include hitting yourself, bruising yourself, biting yourself, picking or pulling at your skin, pulling your hair, burning yourself with lit cigarettes or other hot items, and at the extreme cutting of parts of your body.
It is common for adults, both young and old, to participate in current sub culture. Tattoos and body piercing are quite popular. Although many may see a person who is participating in this fad as participating in self-mutilation, it is important to distinguish between interest and indications of a disorder. Bridges to Recovery treats self-mutilation with both psychiatry and psychotherapy. Our clinical staff is trained specifically in addressing the issues that arise surrounding the various types of self-mutilation.
Endorphins are released when the body experiences stress or trauma. Many times people who self-mutilate have triggered this release. Because of this euphoric experience, someone who self-mutilates can actually be chasing this physical effect. Like the addict who is addicted to opiates, a self-mutilator can be chasing a perceived high that will never come again.
Chaotic relationships, low self esteem, and suppressed anger can be at the root of self-mutilation. The symbolic acting out is an outlet for strong negative emotions. A person is afraid to express these in words to others, therefore they inflict self injury to experience a release. At times there can be co-existing problems with self-mutilation such as, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, or substance abuse. Self injurers often lack a good social support network. Harming oneself can be a way to draw attention or ask for assistance in an indirect way.
Bridges to Recovery believes that learning how to identify your negative emotions and then express these feelings in a more constructive, healthier way (i.e., verbally) is the goal to pursue while in treatment. The patient needs to feel safe to be able to explore the origins of their difficulty in expressing their negative emotions and what makes them self-harm in a safe milieu. We hope that with time, while you are here, you will feel inspired and comfortable enough to utilize healthier coping strategies, while slowly abandoning the older, more familiar self injurious responses.