Get support for self-harming behaviors covered by insurance
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Self-harm (nonsuicidal self-injury) is when someone causes harm to their body. The harm isn’t done with suicidal intention; however, people who self-harm are at a higher risk of suicide if they don’t get the support they need. It’s not a mental health condition, but it is often associated with depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders (i.e., PTSD), and personality disorders. Between 2 and 6% of people engage in self-harm during their lives. It’s more common for young people, with 13-35% of youth engaging in self-harm.
Thinking about or hurting oneself is a sign that someone is in intense emotional pain. People sometimes use harming themself as a way to cope with distress, problems, or feeling emotionally numb. The immediate relief may seem like a temporary solution, but for many people, this leads to feelings of shame or withdrawing from others out of embarrassment. Without taking action to address the causes of the emotional distress and turning to self-harm as a coping strategy, the original problems tend to get worse over time, creating a vicious cycle.
Self-harm behaviors are treatable. The good news is that many people who experience self-harm can learn healthier ways of coping and find relief.
Signs of Self-Harm and Related Symptoms
There are several signs that someone is experiencing self-harm, as well as symptoms that often co-occur or happen alongside the self-harm.
Emotional:
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
- Emotional instability
- Emotional numbness, also called anhedonia
- Intense feelings of pain, shame, or distress
- Poor self-esteem
Physical and Behavioral:
- Scars, as well as cuts, burns, bite marks, bruises, or broken bones
- Wearing clothing to cover one’s arms or legs, even when the weather is too warm
- Unpredictable behavior
- Cutting oneself, skin piercing, punching walls, burning oneself
- Frequently reporting accidental injuries
- Withdrawing from or avoiding relationships
- Trouble at work, school, or at home
When to Seek Help:
If you're experiencing behaviors or thoughts of self-harm, it's important to reach out for professional support. Quitting self-harm isn’t easy, and it often takes more than willpower alone. People experiencing self-harm need support to address the root causes of their behaviors.
There are several options for treating self-harm, and this can involve a combination of therapy, lifestyle support, medication, and more intensive support if needed. Many people benefit from outpatient services, including weekly therapy sessions, medication management, and participation in a peer recovery program. Some people may need more intensive support from a higher level of care to ensure safety, such as intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), residential treatment, or inpatient hospitalization. Consultation with a licensed healthcare clinician can help determine which type of treatments are right for you.
Evidence-Based Treatments:
Therapy:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: CBT helps to identify and change unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. People learn more effective and healthy ways to think about things, cope with strong emotions, make healthy choices, learn new skills, and create more helpful beliefs.
- Dialectical behavior therapy: DBT was adapted from CBT with an added focus on mindfulness and skills to help manage and tolerate distress, cope with and regulate emotions, and improve relationships.
- Mindfulness-based therapies: Therapy that involves being mindful of the present can be very helpful in learning to identify and better respond to one’s thoughts and emotions.
- Family and group therapy: These forms of therapy can help to improve one’s relationships and learn from others who have also experienced self-harm.
Medication:
- There are currently no medications shown to improve self-harm. However, if the self-harm behaviors are connected to a mental health condition, treatment of that condition - with medication - will likely help to improve the self-harm as well.
Lifestyle Support:
- Caring for one’s body with regular exercise and movement, good sleep hygiene practices, and a balanced diet.
- Utilize stress management techniques and healthy coping and problem-solving strategies.
- Having good social support and effectively communicating with others helps reduce the isolation and shame that often accompany self-harm.
Crisis Resources
Immediate Help:
Emergency
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Crisis Text Line
When to Seek Emergency Care:
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Self-harm injuries or infections that require medical attention
- Inability to care for basic needs
How Willow Health Can Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with self-harm or is experiencing a mental health crisis, reach out to the team at Willow Health today. We offer same-day or next business day appointments to ensure that people experiencing a mental health crisis receive the timely care they need.
Our patients meet with both a psychotherapist and a psychiatric medication provider for an assessment to create an individualized care plan tailored to meet each person’s needs. We also offer care management and peer support services to ensure comprehensive support is available to all of our patients. We would be honored to support you in your healing and recovery process.
Sources
- What is Self-Harm? | SAMHSA
- Self-Harm and Trauma - PTSD: National Center for PTSD
- Self-harm | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Self-injury (Cutting, Self-Harm or Self-Mutilation) | Mental Health America
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) | Psychiatry Online
- Self-injury/cutting - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
- Pharmacological interventions for self‐harm in adults - PMC
FAQs
For more detailed information or personalized assistance, feel free to reach out to us directly — your journey to understanding and accessing transformative behavioral health care starts with a conversation.
Willow currently accepts select insurance plans for payment of your provider’s or therapist’s services. Call us at (646) 814-1530 to check your coverage status.
Treatment length varies depending on the individual and their specific needs. Most people begin to notice progress after attending 4-6 sessions of evidence-based therapy.
Suicide risk is highly individual, and so treatment must be highly individualized. People who have many underlying mental health conditions see their suicide risk reduced when they receive treatment for those mental health conditions. Many people do recover from suicide risk without the use of medication.
Yes! Many people who have experienced thoughts of suicide or attempts go on to recover and lead meaningful lives. Treatment can help. Contact us today to get started.
FAQs
For more detailed information or personalized assistance, feel free to reach out to us directly — your journey to understanding and accessing transformative behavioral health care starts with a conversation.
Willow currently accepts select insurance plans for payment of your provider’s or therapist’s services. Call us at (646) 814-1530 to check your coverage status.
Treatment length varies depending on the individual and their specific needs. Most people begin to notice progress after attending 4-6 sessions of evidence-based therapy.
There are no medications indicated as a form of treatment for self-harm. However, people who have underlying mental health conditions often benefit from medications, which can help to improve self-harm behaviors as well.
Yes! Many people who have experienced self-harm go on to recover and lead meaningful lives. Treatment can help. Contact us today to get started.
