If you or someone you know is in need of self-harming therapy, call Glendale psychologist Dr. Taji Huang. If you have ever inflicted injury on yourself by burning, cutting, or other types of self-injury, this may be a sign of severe inner turmoil where you may be suppressing emotions or suffering from intense anxiety. This can feel like the only way for you to express pain or other intense emotions. This condition may continue for years if it is left untreated. Self-harming behaviors are different than a suicide attempt. It is possible, however, that an individual who purposely causes injury to their own body may attempt suicide in the future as well.
Types Of Self-Harm
There are many ways that you might be hurting yourself. Your child, your friend, or someone else you care for may be hurting themselves in ways you cannot imagine. These all fall under the spectrum of self-harm:
- Scratching Or Pinching Yourself
- Hitting Or Punching Objects
- Cutting
- Banging Or Punching Yourself
- Picking, Ripping Or Tearing Your Skin
- Carving Words or Symbols Into Your Skin
- Interfering With Wound Healing
- Burning Yourself
- Rubbing Your Skin With Glass Or Other Sharp Objects
- Pulling Out Your Own Hair
Signs And Symptoms Of Self-Harm
This problem can be present in every type of person, but the majority of cases happen between the teenage years and into young adulthood. College students are at a higher risk of causing self-harm than any other demographic.
Some other psychological issues you may also be experiencing are:
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Manic Episodes
- Eating Disorders
- Psychosis
The urge may occur when there are strong feelings of loneliness, emptiness, and the lack of ability to express your feelings. You may use self-harm as a coping mechanism for feelings of inadequacy, sexual identity, or other types of emotional distress.
Self-harming can become similar to an addiction. You may keep it a secret and begin inflicting pain when triggered by certain feelings such as anxiety or shame. Some signs that someone you love is harming themselves are multiple bruises and cuts, purposely hiding the skin even during warm weather or may the desire to spend long periods of time alone. Low self-esteem and trouble functioning at work or school may be other signs of self-harm.
Therapy Can Help
There are several different ways to help you cope with feelings that trigger self-harm. A psychologist can help by offering different types of self-esteem exercises and forms of creative expression to assist you through difficult times. Exercises such as mindfulness and meditation can also help. Dr. Taji specializes in many time-proven treatments such a cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. She also offers individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
If you or someone you know needs therapy for to stop self-harm, call Dr. Taji Huang in Glendale to start getting help today.