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Invisible Scars: A Bay Area Therapist's Insights on Self-Harm

Updated: 3 days ago

Have you or someone you know ever faced challenges with self-harm? You are not alone. There ARE others that understand. Supportive & caring people are available to help you navigate this journey.




The Raw Truth: Self-Harm Perspectives from an Experienced Bay Area Therapist



The prevalence of self-injurious behaviors amid adolescents is increasing concurrently with the proportion of suicide attempts. Such behaviors have existed for some time, for instance in 1996 Princess Diana opened up about her experience with self-inflicted cutting (Privé, 2007). Many find self-harm difficult to treat and lack educational training and direct experience.



The Psychology profession is in dire need to further research the effectiveness in the variance of possible treatments of self-harm for several reasons;


  • Self-harm is a dangerous and too common aspect of society,

  • Self-harm is easy for teens to hide the wounds and therefore the symptoms continuously go unnoticed,

  • Current treatment is too expensive for many families to afford,

  • Self-harm a precursor is often sexual abuse or depression, and

  • Self-harm may lead to suicide. 



While counseling at a nearby middle school early in my career, I learned over a handful of the 8th grade students I was counseling at the time suffered from self-mutilation. Interestingly, each kid differed so greatly in the etiology of their self-injurious behaviors as well as the sensations that they felt during the self-inflictions and the feelings that they experienced from the incidents.


It is important to recognize that individuals who suffer from self-inflicted cutting do not do so as a suicide attempt. Parents are often unaware of their child participating in self-mutilation. These behaviors are often detected at schools. School officials are then left with apprehension whether or not to notify the parents. For more information click: Services | Therapy with Janelle Brady | Pleasant Hill, CA |


It is difficult to find accurate statistics in research because the behaviors do often go unnoticed. Research findings suggest that between 6.9%-30% of adolescents suffer from such behaviors. There is not a significant difference between boys and girls (Hall & Place, 2010). Research indicates that approximately 5% of adults in the United States self-injure. Rates are higher among adolescents, with approximately 17% of teens reporting some form of self-injury. Studies show an even higher risk for self-injury among college students, with rates ranging from 17-35% (Self-injury (Cutting, Self-Harm or Self-Mutilation) | Mental Health America (mhanational.org))


Self-inflicted harm is a complex, distinct behavior. Individuals often differ in their “unique motivations” (Hall & Place, 2010).


  • Used as a way of coping, self-mutilation leads to a release of endorphins which in turn alleviates physical and emotional pain for a short period of time.

  • Eventually, hormonal and endorphin pathways yield a physical rush when one cuts their skin (Ponton, 1997).

  • The natural release of pain killers then reinforces the self-injurious behaviors.


It is imperative for each individual to identify:


  • Their emotional and physical triggers,

  • Explore the sensations,

  • Identify healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms,

  • Adopt new ways to deal with stress.


Many factors should be integrated in the treatment of self-injurious behaviors such as;


  • Increase self-esteem,

  • Create and identify social support systems,

  • Learn healthy and quick ways to reduce stress,

  • Integrating treatment for other concerns such as addiction, depression, trauma, eating disorder(s)





The Most Common Forms of Self-harm:


  • Skin cutting (70-90%).

  • Head banging or hitting (21%-44%).

  • Burning (15%-35%).



Most individuals who engage in non-suicidal self-injury hurt themselves in more than one way. 


  • Excessive scratching to the point of drawing blood,

  • Punching (either one's self or objects),

  • Infecting oneself,

  • Inserting objects into body openings,

  • Drinking something harmful (like bleach or detergent),

  • Breaking bones purposefully. 




Resources:




Like what we talked about today? Check out related articles: Blog | Therapy with Janelle Brady | Pleasant Hill, CA | 



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