What Should I Do After a Self-Harm Relapse?
The act of self-harming seems counterintuitive to those who do not engage in it. When a person hurts themselves on purpose, it means something is going on beneath the surface that causes them to act out this way. The Meadowglade offers outpatient and residential options that treat people who have experienced a self-harm relapse. We help them understand what triggered their return to self-harming behaviors and deal with unresolved issues so they can overcome their urge to hurt themselves. Contact The Meadowglade today to learn your options for treatment for self-harm relapse.
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What is Self-Harm?
Self-harm is the act of hurting oneself on purpose and is often a symptom of a mental health disorder, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder. Actions include burning, cutting, scratching, biting, and breaking bones. Approximately 5% of American adults have self-injured, with the number rising to 17% for teenagers.
Someone who self-harms may have a good idea of why they are doing it, while others just feel the compulsion and are confused as to why they feel compelled to hurt themselves. Self-harm may seem like the actual problem, but the behaviors are a symptom of the real problem, which includes mental health disorders and other challenging and often traumatic life experiences.
Family members, friends, co-workers, and classmates may recognize that someone self-harms but don’t know how to respond. They often assume the behavior is just rebellious or a sign of an incurable problem. Helping a loved one who self-harms means understanding they are communicating their emotions through their hurtful actions.
Signs and Symptoms of Self-Harm
People who self-harm often go to great lengths to hide their actions because they feel embarrassed by them. Loved ones should look for the following signs that someone is self-harming.
- Scars
- Bruises
- Cuts
- Scratches
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Bite marks
- Wearing long sleeves, pants, and jackets to cover injuries
- Having objects used to self-harm, such as razors, scissors, and lighters
- Injuries with no reasonable explanation
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depression
- Anxiety
What is a Self-Harm Relapse?
A self-harm relapse takes place when someone who has recovered from self-harming returns to their old behaviors. It often happens when a traumatic or stressful event occurs, and the person feels the old pull to hurt themselves to release stress, anxiety, and other hurtful and complicated emotions. Relapse will include attempting to hide the behaviors and resulting physical harm.
What Should I Do After a Self-Harm Relapse?
When someone hurts themselves habitually and then overcomes it by seeking treatment, they still face the risk of experiencing a self-harm relapse. When a person relapses, they should remind themselves that recovery is not always a straight line, and taking a step or two backwards is common. That doesn’t mean they cannot right their ship. Anyone experiencing a relapse should speak to current or former treatment team members to let them know what’s going on. This allows them to formulate a plan to help them get back in recovery. As well, speaking to trusted family members and friends can help because they can offer compassionate support when they know what’s going on.
How Can I Prevent a Self-Harm Relapse?
While many people experience a self-harm relapse, there are ways to help prevent it from happening. First, if the person is seeing a therapist or attending a treatment program, they should continue to attend all of their therapy sessions and be honest about any temptations to relapse. The individual can also use breathing techniques, grounding techniques, and relaxing activities like meditation and yoga.
People can also reduce the risk of relapsing by practicing honest and open communication with loved ones and journaling. They can also engage in creative endeavors, such as art, writing, and dancing. It also proves helpful to avoid isolating and getting involved in social events.
How is Self-Harm Treated?
When someone experiences a self-harm relapse, they should enroll in a treatment program to help them disarm their triggers and take better care of themselves. Attending a roster of different therapies helps people who self-harm understand the driving motivations that influence their behaviors.
Common types of therapy that help people overcome self-harming include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- EMDR
- Psychological Diagnosis
- Equine Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Holistic Therapy
- Stress Reduction Therapy
- Psychiatry + Medication Management
- Education & Career Counseling
Prescription medications can also help control the urge to self-harm because they treat contributing mental health disorders like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Self-harm can be treated at a residential facility, which requires the person to temporarily live in a comfortable treatment center and receive 24/7 care. The disorder can also be treated in different types of outpatient programs, which require the person to travel to a facility for their therapy sessions and return home. Levels of outpatient care include Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Outpatient Program (OP).
Begin Treatment for Self-Harm
Have you experienced a self-harm relapse or know someone who is going through one? Learning to stop hurting yourself takes treatment from a licensed treatment facility that employs skilled and compassionate therapists. The Meadowglade offers private and effective care for people struggling with a self-harm relapse who want the best help available. We treat people on both outpatient and residential levels, teaching them healthy coping skills that replace their urge to harm themselves.
Contact us now to find out how we can help you or someone you love turn their lives around and refute the urges to self-harm. Our friendly admissions staff can answer any questions you have and enroll you in the right program quickly.