Self-Harm is the act of someone hurting or harming themselves. It includes:
- taking too many tablets, incurring an overdose
- cutting
- burning
- banging their head or throwing themselves against something hard
- punching themselves
- sticking things into their body
- swallowing dangerous objects
We understand that self-harm usually occurs in response to a state of high emotion, distress and unbearable inner turmoil. Whilst it may be planned in advance, for some individuals, it happens in the spur of the moment. Some people may self-harm once or twice, whilst others may do it regularly, and it can be hard to stop.
Some people may harm themselves in less obvious ways, but this is still serious. An individual may behave in ways that suggest they do not care whether they live or die – taking drugs recklessly, having unsafe sex, binge drinking, or starving themselves.
Treatment for Self-Harm
Treatment for people who self-harm usually involves seeing a psychologist to help develop a joint understanding of the function of their self-harming behaviour, in addition to discussing your thoughts and feelings, and how these affect your behaviour and wellbeing. It will involve teaching you new skills and discovering alternative coping strategies that help prevent further episodes of self-harm. It is also important to talk to your support network (Family, friends, loved ones) about your self-harm. If you think you may be at risk of Self-Harm, it is important that you have a specialist assessment and access urgent help.
We are highly skilled at working with the management and treatment of Self-Harm. We offer the following evidence-based treatment options for Self-Harm:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
We’re here for you. If you would like to enquire about treatment and support for Self-Harm at Sanctum, please contact us to arrange an assessment.
