I have a wife with bulimia and it was getting to the point where I couldn't take it any more. She needed bulimia treatment badly, but I didn't know where to turn. Through the internet I came across your site and sent my wife for bulimia treatment at your center.
Whoever she first spoke with made her feel so comfortable, she even became excited about the possibility of not having to binge and purge any more. The change in her is amazing. I know she will always be recovering, but I am proud to say she is the most courageous person I know. Thank you for all of your help.
-- Preston V., Nashua, New Hampshire
I needed to find an eating disorder clinic so badly. I used to eat compulsively and had swung over completely to purging and laxatives. I felt so bad about myself, the shame and guilt was just killing me. I had been to an eating disorder clinic before, but they really did not address my mood swings, that I have since understood them to be a bipolar disorder.
Your staff kept telling me that my eating behavior was a symptom of other problems. Well even though I didn't believe them they turned out to be right. I don't use laxatives, I have even learned to exercise moderately. Thank you so much. By the way, it has been ten months since I last purged.
-- Bonnie S., Boston, Massachusetts
Well Shelly, I told you I would write when I had one year in recovery and here I am. Who would have guessed. I have so much gratitude for you taking your time and referring me to a great facility. I knew from the moment I walked in there that I was in the right place. The next time I come by it will be to visit, not as a patient. You are absolutely the greatest.
-- Venessa C., Raleigh, North Carolina
Self Injury Treatments
Self Harm
Effective self harm treatments are within your reach. Call our nationally recognized toll-free helpline at 1-800-941-5313. Get the help you need to recover your health and reclaim your life. Caring professionals are standing by 24/7 to assist you and all calls are confidential.
What is Self Harm?
The terms "self harm" or "self injury" are used when an individual has inflicted a deliberate injury to their own body. There are a number of reasons why someone may inflict self injury, some as simple as just wanting attention. But other reasons for the self harm are much more serious and often times beyond the individual's control. For example, the injury may be to deal with unstable emotions, or the person may be suffering from a mental illness, an eating disorder, low self-esteem or they may have been a victim of abuse. For these individuals, self injury treatments should be administered as soon as possible to limit further harm.
Examples of Self Harm
The definition of self harm is quite broad and it can stretch to include exterior bodily injury (e.g. compulsive tattooing) as well as interior (disordered eating). Perhaps the most common, or at least the most sensationalized, type of self injury treatment is for the process called "cutting." Cutting is when someone uses a blade to cut thin, non-lethal lacerations on their body as a way to cope with their feelings. The cuts are typically made on the arms, legs, inner thighs and abdomen.
It's important to understand that most cases of self harm are not a reflection of a suicidal person, although for the outsider looking in, it may look like it is. Self harm is a coping method used by some people to relieve their unbearable emotional pain or discomfort.
Other methods of self harm may include:
Biting one's hands, lips, tongue or arms
Self-choking
Scratching, pinching or hitting oneself
Self-inflicted cigarette burns
Self-inflicted eraser burns
Stabbing oneself or carving words or symbols on skin with needles, pins, nails or other sharp objects
Pulling out hair
Picking scabs to prevent or prolong healing wounds
Overdosing on medication or alcohol without suicidal intent
Ingestion of chemicals, pins or batteries
Successful self injury treatments have to be able to manage the emotional, as well as the physical, aspects of the condition.
Signs of Self Harm
People who self harm themselves may try to conceal their scars or injuries by wearing baggy clothing or body-covering clothes like long-sleeved shirts and pants. If their injuries are discovered, they will typically offer an alternative explanation as to how they occurred. The individual will also avoid swimming in the summer and act guarded when changing clothes. Other warning signs include:
Cuts, scratches, burns or scars
Bruises
Broken bones
Depression
Creating artwork that features a lot of black or red
May sit with a pillow covering their legs or quickly change sitting position when someone enters the room
Razors may be missing or found in the trash
Person may be withdrawn or wish to be alone
The person may keep sharp objects on hand
The person may often hold ice to their skin
The person may draw on their arms with red marker, food coloring or paint (a sign that they are wanting help)
The person may wear a lot of bracelets, or a rubber band on the wrist that they can snap whenever they need to (another sign of wanting to stop self injury)
If the process of locating the best eating disorder treatment program for you becomes confusing and a bit overwhelming, you can always call the national eating disorder helpline at 1-800-941-5313.
Who is at Risk for Self Harm?
Teens are at high risk of inflicting self harm as they tend to have difficulty managing their emotions. Some of the most common cases of teenage self injury involve those who have been raised in an environment that discourages the expression of anger. Other scenarios that place teens at high risk include the loss of a parent, peer pressure, childhood abuse or troubled relationships.
People with various types of mental illness are also at risk. Self harm can be a direct result of someone's internal battle with depression, conduct disorders, eating disorders or phobias. Additionally, people who are suffering from alcoholism or drug abuse are also at high risk for self injury.
Treating Self Injury
The difficult thing about self harm is that over time, it can become an addiction. As such, it is often treated just like any other addiction, through therapy, medication and in some severe cases, hospitalization. Some methods of self injury treatment include:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Family and group therapy
Antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications
Hypnosis
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
If the patient has a secondary addiction, like drugs or alcohol, then treatment in a dual diagnosis facility is recommended. Dual diagnosis programs feature physicians and staff personnel specially trained for managing the care for a person with multiple health concerns. When looking for a dual diagnosis treatment facility, be sure to choose one that is licensed by the state in which it resides and is accredited by the J.C.A.H.O (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization).
