Common signs of self-harm include wearing long clothing in hot weather, behavioral and emotional instability, and regularly having new burns, cuts, and bite marks.
Search Our Site
Search Our Site
Self-harm refers to when an individual hurts their body on purpose. It is different from a suicide attempt because they usually do not intend to end their life. Self-harm is a common symptom of depression, and while people who engage in self-harm aren’t always suicidal, their risk of attempting suicide is higher.
Bournewood Health Systems is here to offer self-harm support in the Massachusetts area through professional treatment and compassionate care.
Self-harm has many different causes. Some may start self-harming to cope with an issue or traumatic event, while others do it to stop feeling angry, lonely, or hopeless. Some examples of self-harm include cutting one’s skin with sharp objects, bruising oneself, and burning oneself with candles or cigarettes. Here are some of the symptoms of self-harm:
Emotional and behavioral instability
Wearing long sleeves or pants even in hot weather
Keeping sharp objects on hand
Constantly having fresh cuts, bite marks, or burns
Speaking about feelings of helplessness or worthlessness
Our self-injury treatment at Bournewood includes a 24/7 hotline for triage, assessment, and admissions when you need it. You can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides a crisis text line and access to crisis counselors for individuals who are thinking about self-harm or suicidal ideation.
Our Approach to Treating Self-Harm At Bournewood, we understand that self-harm is a stressful and dangerous behavior that’s incredibly difficult to deal with. We offer support and resources on self-harm in Massachusetts to help you find ways to deal with trauma, stress, or depression without harming yourself. We build a customized care plan tailored to your unique needs, symptoms, and history.
Our combination of evidence-based therapies, stress reduction techniques, and mindfulness activities can help manage the anxiety, depression, and underlying feelings causing self-harm behaviors for adolescents and adults. Here are some examples of the modalities our professionals may use to treat self-harm behavior:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This therapy option helps enhance coping mechanisms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This helps address and change negative thought patterns.
Expressive Therapy: This therapy uses creative activities to encourage healthy expression of emotions.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): A day program offering intensive treatment and monitoring, allowing for some time at home.
Here are some frequently asked questions about self-harm:
Common signs of self-harm include wearing long clothing in hot weather, behavioral and emotional instability, and regularly having new burns, cuts, and bite marks.
Many people who self-harm are not attempting suicide, but the risk may be higher and professional care is important.
This website is not intended to give clinical or medical advice. If you are experiencing an emergency or crisis, please go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department or call 911.