Self-injury is the act of deliberately destroying body tissue, at times to change a way of feeling. Self-injury is seen differently by groups and cultures within society. This appears to have become more popular lately, especially in adolescents.
The causes and severity of self-injury can vary. Some forms may include:
- Carving
- Scratching
- Branding
- Marking
- Picking, and pulling skin and hair
- Burning/abrasions
- Cutting / biting
- Head banging
- Bruising
- Hitting
- Tattooing
- Excessive body piercing
Some adolescents may self-mutilate to take risks, rebel, reject their parents’ values, state their individuality or merely be accepted. Others, however, may injure themselves out of desperation or anger to seek attention, to show their hopelessness and worthlessness, or because they have suicidal thoughts.
These children may suffer from serious psychiatric problems such as depression, psychosis, PTSD and bipolar disorder. Additionally, some adolescents who engage in self-injury may develop borderline personality disorder as adults.
Evaluation by a mental health professional may assist in identifying and treating the underlying causes of self-injury. Feelings of wanting to die or kill themselves are reasons for adolescents to seek professional care emergency.
AspenPointe Counseling has child and adolescent counselors to assist you in finding other ways to release the pains of everyday life by using forms of therapy such as EMDR, CBT, or DBT.
Eligibility Criteria:
Anyone who is deliberately self mutilating themselves as a form of release from everyday life issues.
Insurance(s) Accepted:
Self-pay and most private insurances including: UBH/UH, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield and TRICARE.
Hours
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Evenings and weekends upon request.
