Self-injury, also known as self-harm, is intentional self-harming behavior. Self-injury is not the same as a suicide attempt. Regardless, it is concerning behavior that can do harm to your mental, emotional, and physical health. Houston Psychotherapists has clinicians on staff who specialize in providing therapy to children, adolescents and adults who engage in self-harming behavior.

Self-injury is not a sign of personal weakness. Often, self-injury is used as a coping mechanism and an attempt to overcome feelings of anxiety and/or depression.

Self-harming or self-injurious behaviors

Common self-harming behaviors may include:

  • Cutting
  • Burning (or “branding” with hot objects)
  • Picking at skin or reopening wounds
  • Head-banging
  • Hitting (with hammer or other object)

Reasons for self-harming or self-injurious behaviors

There are many reasons why you may choose to harm yourself. Regardless of the reason, we encourage you to seek treatment. We offer a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and personalized approach to treat your self-harming behaviors.

Some of the following reasons listed below may apply to you:

  • Expression of pain, sometimes because you may have difficulty expressing it or because you feel that there’s a social stigma preventing you from doing so
  • Distracting yourself from feelings of loneliness or anger
  • Self-punishment for a past or present transgression
  • Self-pleasure
  • Giving yourself a sense of control, especially after a traumatic event or situation such as physical and/or sexual abuse
  • To feel something

Self-injurious behavior, regardless of form, is used to address emotional problems. However, this relief is only temporary and it becomes a painful cycle. This is where our clinicians step in and how self-harm therapy can be a powerful way to help you overcome this behavior.

Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians. Please note that our clinicians are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication.