Cutting and self harm/mutilation

Treatment options for self harming individuals;

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a very usefull form of treatment in most mental health disorders, especially eating disorders. It helps the individual respond in healtheir ways to triggars such as stres and make changes to their behaviour.

If a history of abuse appears to be at the core of an individual’s self destructive behavior, therapies designed to address post-traumatic stress such as Eye Movement Desensitzation and Reprocessing (EMDR) may be a very helpful aspect of treatment

Hypnosis or other self-relaxation techniques are helpful in reducing the stress and tension that often precede injuring incidents, these would rarely be the sole aspect of treatment but part of a range of treatments, it is important to help the individual relax. Also through hypnosis causes or triggars can be adressed in the subconcious state.

Group therapy may be helpful in decreasing the shame associated with self-harm, and help to support healthy expressions of emotions. It provides community and reduces shame and secrecy of the behaviour they have adopted. Creating a positive atmosphere and support network is very beneficial in recovery.

Family therapy may be useful, both in addressing any issues within the family that appear to be provoking selfharm and also in helping family members to communicate in a positive and non judgemental manner.

Medication- anxiety issues or depression can sometimes justify the prescribtion of antidepressants or anti anxiety medicine. These are aimed to reduce the impulsive self distructive urgers within the patient. These medications are often prescribed alongside some other the treatment options above, they can aid in the recovery process quite successfully.

In severe cases where the individual is considered a threat to themselves and beyond outpatient help, an in-patient hospitalization program along with a multi-disciplinary team approach might be decided upon.

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