Looking at Self Harm Relapse Among Adults and Young People
While self-harm can feel taboo to discuss, it is a common global struggle, and treatment can help you overcome it. Self-harming behaviors can take many different forms, and experiencing a self-harm relapse makes sense for those who have used it as a coping mechanism for long periods of time.
Recovery is possible no matter what. Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada provides effective self-harm treatment in Las Vegas. So, what should you do if you relapse into self-harm?
This article will cover everything you need to know about self-harm relapse and how treatment can help. If you have any questions about our mental health programs and how they can help you through a self-harm relapse, please give us a call.
Is Self-Harm Relapse Normal for People in Recovery?
Yes. Not only are self-harm relapses common among those battling self-harming behaviors, but they can be a part of recovery. The recovery process is not linear, and it can take time to learn how to get your needs met without using self-harm.
Try to view relapses as a learning experience, and remember that relapse does not undo the progress that you made.
People self-harm for various reasons, but self-harm tends to serve a purpose. You might use self-harm behaviors to feel something or to relieve emotional distress through a physical sensation, for example. These are just two possibilities.
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How Treatment Helps to Combat Self-Harm Relapse
Treatment for self-harm behaviors can help you understand their origin, so that you can replace them with healthy coping mechanisms. If it gives you an escape from emotional pain, it may be powerful to learn to sit with overwhelming emotions, work through them, and use self-care.
Self-harm relapses aren’t something to be ashamed of. Here’s how our treatment programs can help you or the person in your life struggling with self-harming behavior overcome a self-harm relapse.
Overcoming Guilt and Shame
Unfortunately, many of those who experience self-harm face negative feelings toward themselves. You may have negative thoughts of self-blame, shame, or guilt during a self-harm relapse. Working with a mental health professional can help you set yourself free from these beliefs.
Managing Self-Harm Urges
Urge surfing is a skill taught to help you get through triggers and high-emotion times when you may be tempted to use self-harm behaviors or engage in another action destructive to your well-being. The idea of urge surfing for self-injury is to acknowledge your urge to self-harm without judging it or acting on it.
Building and Using Coping Skills
The treatment programs for self-harm and mental health treatment at Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada guide clients through and encourage a variety of new coping skills. In addition to urge surfing, here are some examples of coping strategies you can use.
- TIPP skills (temperature, intense exercise, paced breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation).
- Distraction techniques, like seeking support from trusted people in your life, reading, taking a walk, or creative activities.
- Breathing exercises.
- Meditation and mindfulness.
- Yoga.
- Journaling.
- Positive self-talk and affirmations.
What works for you could differ from what helps the next person cope or de-stress, so having options is necessary.
Creating a Safety Plan
When emotions are high, it can be tough to think clearly or remember your coping skills. Often, a mental health professional will help a young person or adult who is struggling with self-harm create a safety plan for times when self-harm urges emerge or when their feelings are intense.
At Icarus in Nevada, our trauma informed motivational interviewing techniques and other trauma-informed approaches to mental health care are a pillar of our programs.
Addressing Underlying Causes
Our programs use a combination of different therapy methods to address self-harm and underlying causes. Evidence-based treatments like dialectical behavior therapy groups, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy can help with self-harm.
Many adults and young people facing self-harm also live with a mental health condition, such as a trauma disorder, anxiety, or depression–when that is the case, it is important to target those in treatment as well.
Residential vs. Outpatient Treatment for Self-Harm
We offer a full continuum of care for self-harm, including residential inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. Offering multiple levels of care is part of how we strive to accomplish our mission of providing truly personalized care.
Residential treatment can be a valuable starting point for a person who is not able to manage triggers outside of partial hospitalization or outpatient treatment hours. On the other hand, outpatient programs can be ideal for a person who can manage triggers.
When you first reach out to us about getting help for a self-harm relapse (or for self-harming behavior in general), we’ll provide an intake assessment. At this time, one of our team members will work with you to help you decide on the right starting level of care for you.
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Statistics on Self-Harm in Adults and Young People
While it is most often seen in minors and young adults, self-harm is prevalent and can affect individuals of all ages. Risk factors for self-harm include:
- Eating disorders and poor body image, with eating disorders present in up to 55% of those experiencing self-injury.
- Mood disorders (e.g., depression).
- Anxiety disorders.
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma history.
- Poor emotion regulation.
Gender and other factors can also have an influence. While non-suicidal self-injury is common, self-harming behaviors are linked to an increased likelihood of a future suicide attempt.
Understanding and Recognizing the Signs of Self-Harm Relapse
What if you’re considering seeking help for a loved one rather than yourself? You might be in a place where you suspect a self-harm relapse but aren’t sure. Here are some possible warning signs of a self-harm relapse.
- Wearing long sleeves at all times, even when it seems inappropriate given the temperature (e.g., in hot weather).
- A collection of items that may be used to self-injure (e.g., sharp objects).
- Frequent, unexplained bruises, injuries, bandages, or burns.
- Stains on clothes.
Other signs, like emotional instability, low self-esteem, or feeling helpless, can co-occur with more physical or external symptoms.
Responding to Loved Ones Battling Self-Harm
If you suspect that someone in your life is self-harming, whether it’s a family member, like your child, or a friend, refrain from getting angry. Anger can make people feel misunderstood or as though it is safer to turn inward.
Instead, you want to be kind, calm, and open-minded toward the person in your life who is battling self-harm. Self-compassion is vital for people facing self-harm, but compassion from others matters, too.
People who self-harm are aware that it’s not ideal, but like with other maladaptive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, disordered eating), healing takes time. With professional help, people who self-harm can get to a place where they no longer use behaviors and have an increased quality of life.
Call Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada for Self-Harm Treatment and Relapse Prevention
Get the quality care you deserve at Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada, located in Las Vegas. We accept most health insurance plans and are here to help you find success in your personal recovery journey.
Please call our admissions line today to connect with our team. We’re here to answer your questions about the intake process, what to expect in self-harm treatment, or anything else that’s on your mind.
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FAQs on What to do if You Relapse Self Harm
What to do when you feel a relapse?
Learning your triggers may help you prevent a self-harm relapse. If you can identify warning signs like intense emotional pain, an uptick in distressing emotions, stressors like relationship challenges, money problems, work stress, or anything else that puts you at risk of old habits, it can be easier to seek support right away or use other parts of your safety plan.
Even identifying triggers and using your safety plan can take time to master. Give yourself grace along the way, and practice being loving and kind toward yourself.
How do you recover from self-harm cutting?
Getting proper support from a licensed professional for self-harm can help you recover from all types of self-injury, including cutting. We offer flexible outpatient programs and intensive residential treatment programs for individuals struggling with self-harming behavior.
How do I be kind to myself after a relapse?
Changing your internal dialogue can help you be kind to yourself after a self-harm relapse. In fact, this is an important skill for anyone experiencing persistent negative emotions, self-harming behavior, or mental illness. If you have an automatic negative thought about yourself, reframe it.
For example, if you think, “I can’t overcome self-harm,” you might reframe the thought by saying, “It makes sense that I slipped up; this has been a coping mechanism for me for a long time. I’ve gotten through bad days before, which proves that I can do it again.”