Self-Harm (Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder) | Overview & Treatment

Those who intentionally self-injure often do so to cope with stress, confusion, low self-esteem, and emotional pain. But the practice may leave you feeling even more alone, misunderstood, confused, or ashamed than you did before.

Please know that you aren’t alone. No matter what form of self-harm you struggle with or what you may be feeling, help is available.

Reach out today and connect with compassionate experts who have seen it all and are still here, ready to help you work through your pain and build a better future.

Self-Harm Treatment At Bedrock Recovery Center

Located in Canton, MA, just outside of Boston, Bedrock Recovery Center is a leading mental health treatment provider able to comprehensively treat self-harming behaviors.

Our multidisciplinary psychiatric treatment options include medication management, stabilization services, one-on-one psychotherapy, group therapy, and other evidence-based care suitable for addressing your mental health condition.

Self-Harm & Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder

Sometimes a person, and young people in particular, harm their own body using sharp objects, burning, punching, kicking, headbutting, or biting to produce momentary relief from negative emotions and mental stress.

While most people only self-harm once or twice, for some this activity can become an extremely harmful long-term coping mechanism that only deepens their emotional pain and distress.

While experts are divided over whether or not nonsuicidal self-injury disorder should be its own separate mental illness, patterns of self-injury are a telling symptom of emotional distress associated with a variety of diagnosable mental health conditions.

Diagnosis

Mental health professionals diagnose mental disorders using the DSM 5, a manual that currently lists nonsuicidal self injury disorder (NSSI) as a condition in need of further study.

It is defined as the deliberate, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned, and includes behaviors such as cutting, burning, biting and scratching skin.

NSSI also has strong ties to:

• borderline personality disorder (BPD), a mental illness impacting the ability to regulate emotions or
• impulses, sometimes leading to suicidal behavior, threats, and self-mutilating behavior
• manic-depressive disorder (bipolar disorder), a condition characterized by mood swings that shift from
• depression to hyperactive mania
• anxiety disorders
• major depression
• eating disorders
• substance abuse and substance use disorders

Diagnosis of NSSI will involve both a physical examination and psychiatric evaluation to better understand any physical, mental, or emotional conditions that may be influencing this behavior.

Signs Of Self-Harm

While self-harm likely occurs secretively, behind closed doors, there are some signs you should watch for.

Common signs of self-harm include:

• unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, infections, or scarring
• only wearing long sleeves, even in hot weather
• refusing to change in front of others
• hair loss
• over- or under-eating
• excessive exercise

Risk Factors

Known risk factors for self-harm include:

• being an adolescent or young adult
• having friends who self-injure
• experiencing childhood trauma (neglect, sexual, emotional, or physical abuse, financial insecurity, etc.)
• sexual minority status
• bullying
• low self-worth
• experiencing other mental illness (particularly borderline personality disorder and eating disorders)
• substance abuse

Statistics

It’s unclear what percentage of people self-harm, as researchers have reported dramatically different results when asking different questions and studying different populations.

Estimates run as high as 13% to 35% or as low as 2% to 6% of the general population.

Treatment For Self-Harm

Left untreated, nonsuicidal self-injury disorder can cause severe personal injuries, infections, accidental death, or suicide attempts. Fortunately, trained psychologists can use a variety of methods to help those who suffer from compulsive self-harm.

Psychotherapy

Also known as talk therapy, there are several forms of psychotherapy that are commonly used by mental health professionals as elements of a personalized self-harm treatment plan.

These are common forms of therapy used to address self-harm:

• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a proven method of revealing problematic thoughts or beliefs and behaviors and counteracting them
• dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a narrower form of CBT focused on developing problem-solving
• strategies to manage intense emotions and improve one’s interpersonal relationships
• mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, a treatment option that blends CBT with mindfulness techniques to help address anxiety and depression while improving overall mental and emotional wellbeing and resilience
• family therapy, which brings together family members to help resolve interpersonal issues and open up lines of communication, trust, and emotional support

Medication

While no medications are specifically approved to treat NSSI, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are often prescribed by healthcare providers to treat related mental health disorders.

How To Find Treatment For Self-Harm In Massachusetts

While self-harm is an intensely isolating experience, it is so important that you or your loved one take a leap of faith and reach out to professional help. This move can often be life-changing and, quite possibly, life-saving.

For a referral to a qualified mental health professional, please consider reaching out to your primary care physician. Otherwise, you can use the free and confidential SAMHSA helpline or Find Treatment services to locate suitable providers.

You also have the option of reaching out to providers directly, including Bedrock Recovery Center. To learn about how we can help, please contact us today.