Invisible Scars: A Bay Area Therapist's Insights on Self-Harm
- Janelle Brady, MS, LMFT
- Sep 3, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 13
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
Understanding Self-Harm
The prevalence of self-injurious behaviors among 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 of further research into the effectiveness of various self-harm treatments for several reasons:
Self-harm is a dangerous and all-too-common issue in society.
Teens can easily hide their wounds, so symptoms often go unnoticed.
Current treatments are often too expensive for many families.
Self-harm is often preceded by experiences such as sexual abuse or depression.
Self-harm may lead to suicide.
While counseling at a nearby middle school early in my career, I learned that over a handful of the 8th-grade students I was counseling at the time suffered from self-mutilation. Interestingly, each student differed so greatly in the etiology of their self-injurious behaviors, as well as unique sensations and emotions during and after these incidents. This led me to research and the creation of "Memoirs of Hidden Scars", therapy specifically for adolescents that experience self-harm.
It’s important to recognize that self-inflicted cutting is usually not 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 no 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))
Why Do People Self-Harm?
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.
How to Support Someone Who Self-Harms:
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)
Below is information provided from: Self-injury (Cutting, Self-Harm or Self-Mutilation) | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
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.
Self-harm is a complex and often misunderstood behavior that affects many individuals, especially adolescents. Understanding the reasons behind self-injury and knowing how to support those who struggle with it is crucial for healing and prevention. If you or someone you know is dealing with self-harm, remember that help is available and recovery is possible.
If you’re seeking compassionate, evidence-based support in the Bay Area, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can work toward healing, building resilience, and finding healthier ways to cope.
Ready to take the next step? Contact me for a free consultation or book an appointment online. You are not alone, and support is just a click away.
Resources:
If you are feeling suicidal, text 988 or click ----> (If you are feeling suicidal, Text 988)
https://988lifeline.org/es/chat/ para acceder al chat en español.
For Deaf/Hard of hearing: https://988.aslnow.io/phones/100030001/
BIPOC Mental Health | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
Self-injury (Cutting, Self-Harm or Self-Mutilation) | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
Like what we talked about today? Check out related articles: Blog | Therapy with Janelle Brady | Pleasant Hill, CA |
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