Self-injury is self-injury and self-injury behavior that is done intentionally. It is a form of behavioral disorder associated with a number of psychiatric illnesses. Come on, understand more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment in the following review.
Self-injury can be in the form of injuring the body with sharp or blunt objects, such as slashing or burning the skin, hitting walls, banging the head, and pulling hair. Sufferer self-injury can also accidentally swallow something harmful, such as liquid detergent or insect repellent, even inject poison into the body.
Various Reasons Someone Hurts Themselves
Self-injury This is done to vent or overcome excess emotions that are being faced, such as stress, anger, anxiety, self-hatred, sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, numbness, or guilt. It can also be a way to distract from distracting thoughts.
These emotions can arise as a result of:
Social problem
Behavior self-injury vulnerable to occur in people who are experiencing life difficulties and social problems, for example being victims bully (bullying) at school, or pressured by demands from parents and teachers.
It could also be due to conflicts with family, partners, and friends, or experiencing an identity crisis regarding sexual orientation.
Psychological trauma
Losing a loved one and being the victim of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse can leave a person feeling empty, numb, and low on self-worth. They think that hurting themselves can remind them that they are still alive and feel things like other people.
Mental disorders
Self-injury It can also appear as a symptom of some mental illnesses, such as mental disorders mood, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adjustment disorder, or borderline personality disorder.
Characteristics of Actors Self-Injury
People who have a tendency to self-harm often have no typical symptoms. Behavior self-injury this is usually done when they are alone, and not in a public place.
However, the following traits may indicate a person has a tendency to self-harm:
- Has a number of injuries on his body, such as cuts to his wrists, burns to his arms, thighs, and trunk, or bruises to his knuckles. Generally they will hide the wound and will avoid when asked what caused it.
- Exhibits symptoms of depression, such as a bad mood, often feels sad, cries, and lacks motivation in life.
- Difficulty socializing, both at home, at school, and at work. They prefer to be alone and are reluctant to talk to other people.
- Tend to be insecure or blame yourself for any problems that occur.
- Often wears clothes that cover the whole body, to hide wounds.
Self-injurious behavior risks causing fatal physical injury, as well as increasing the risk of suicide. Because of his reckless actions, not infrequently the perpetrators self-injury have to be hospitalized or even end up with permanent disability to death.
Handling Self-Injury
Perpetrator self-injury You need to get special treatment from a psychiatrist, either a psychologist or a psychiatrist. A psychologist or psychiatrist will perform an examination to diagnose behavior self-injury and determine the cause. Treatment will be given according to the cause of this behavior.
In general, several steps for handling patients self-injury include:
Medical treatment
Sufferer self-injury Those who are injured or have other health problems need immediate medical attention, either in the form of outpatient or inpatient care.
Terapi and counseling
Therapy and counseling with a psychiatrist or psychologist aims to find out the cause of the action self-injury, while finding the best way to prevent the patient from doing this procedure again. Types of therapy that can be done include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
In addition to undergoing the above therapy and medication, people who have a tendency to self-harm are also advised to:
- Not alone. Seek social and psychological support from friends, family, or close relatives.
- Get rid of sharp objects, chemicals, or drugs that could be used to injure yourself.
- Join positive activities, such as a sports club or photography.
- Take up a hobby, such as playing music or painting, to help express emotions in a positive way.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and drugs.
- Distracts when there is an urge to do self-injury.
- Exercise regularly, get enough sleep and rest, and eat a nutritionally balanced diet.
self-harm (self-injury) is a form of behavior disorder that needs special attention. Behavior self-injury requires treatment from a psychologist or psychiatrist, especially if this condition is associated with certain mental disorders.