Who can diagnose self-harm?
Psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed therapists, psychiatric social workers, counsellors, and other qualified mental health professionals can assess a person for
self-harm. This professional will inquire about symptoms and consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the DSM-5. The individual should also be examined for any potential conditions that increase the likelihood of this behaviour. These include depressive disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, or schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
How do you know if someone needs therapy for self-harm?
A therapist can help people manage a tendency toward self-injury. If a person is thinking about self-harm they likely have difficulties with daily functioning. The person may feel extremely anxious, angry, or impulsive. The symptoms can be disruptive and a therapist can help address them. An individual who contemplates or engages in self-harm is in acute distress, regardless of whether or not
suicidal ideation is also a factor.
What type of therapist can help treat self-harm?
A mental health professional trained in evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can help a person fight the underlying cause of this behaviour. Self-injury is a way for a person to gain control over their experiences. Cognitive behavioural, dialectical behavioural, and mentalisation-based therapies are good approaches; they address emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and how mental states influence behaviour.How do I get someone to try therapy for self-harm?
You need care and compassion to encourage a person to try therapy. Describe what you are observing without judgment or criticism. Be positive, listen carefully, and ask this family member or friend open-ended questions in a calm and compassionate manner. Be prepared for resistance, the individual may say they are not able to get to therapy, or they cannot find a therapist.