Self-injury is a growing concern in Michigan, affecting 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males throughout the U.S. A staggering 90% of people who self-injure start in their teen and pre-teen years, and oftentimes their actions go completely unnoticed. Whether you are a teen struggling with depression or a parent who has noticed signs of self-harm, it may be hard to understand what’s true and what’s not in the world of self-injury. Here we will put to rest some common myths about self-injury so you can have a better understanding of this process.
People Self-Harm For Attention – FALSE
While there are rare instances where a person uses self-injury to get attention, most people who self-harm do so in secrecy. They can go months or even years without anyone ever noticing what they are doing, and some spend their entire lives holding on to this secret. Many people who self-injure feel ashamed of their actions, which is why they never talk to anyone about how they are feeling or reach out for help. Even if someone is in fact self-harming for the sake of getting attention, he or she could still benefit from self-esteem therapy and other tools used in self-injury counseling.
Self-Injury Is A Sign Of Suicidal Thoughts – Not Necessarily
Just because someone self-injures does not mean he or she wants to die. Children, teens, and young adults often use self-injury as a coping mechanism for depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, etc. Cutting, burning, and other forms of self-harm come with a temporary rush of adrenaline, which is why some people use this as a tool to “get high.” Self-injury can be just as addictive as any other substance over time, and it may never lead to suicidal thoughts.
With that in mind, people who self-injure are at a high risk of having suicidal thoughts because of the depression that leads them to cut in the first place. Self-harm may not always be a strong enough coping mechanism, which could cause them to seek out more extreme ways to deal with their emotions and frustrations. This is why it is important to seek out self-harm therapy as soon as possible, to learn how to overcome depression and anxiety and move forward to a better quality of life. If you are concerned that your child may be depressed or suicidal, reach out to Perspectives Of Troy Counseling Centers in Michigan by calling (248) 244-8644.
The Level Of Self-Injury Is Proportional To The Level Of Depression – FALSE
Some people assume that the severity of a person’s self-harm is proportional to his or her depression. In other words, a child with severe depression will have severe cuts on his arms or legs. That is not the case at all. Every person has his or her own unique way of dealing with struggles in life. It would be the same as saying a person who drinks 6 beers in a night is more depressed than a person who drinks 2 beers. The person drinking 6 might not be depressed at all, but the person drinking 2 may have just gotten through a rocky divorce or major job change. Do not jump to conclusions about self-injury based on the severity of the wounds. Minor cuts or burns are still a sign that your child needs to speak with a therapist in Michigan.
Self-Harm Is An Effective Depression Therapy Technique – FALSE
Self-injury has received a certain level of “hype” over the last few decades, to the point that some people see it as a go-to tool for at-home depression therapy. It’s important to realize that self-harm is NOT an effective coping mechanism. In fact, it is quite the opposite of one. The relief experienced through self-injury is only temporary – if you experience any relief at all. By using self-injury to cope, you avoid learning other ways to sort through your emotions and overcome your depression altogether. In short, this is like putting a Band-Aid over a gaping wound. You’re much better off getting real treatment from real professionals who can put you on the road to healing.
Once You Start Cutting, You Can’t Stop – FALSE
As we mentioned above, self-injury can be addicting over time. An act only performed on occasion can soon become a compulsion. Like any other addiction though, a person can overcome the urge to cut or burn themselves with proper counseling from a self-injury therapist in Michigan. A therapist will learn to help you or your child sort through emotional struggles and effectively overcome depression with other techniques. Getting help for self-injury is NOT a hopeless effort. The sooner you act, the sooner you will be able to enjoy a happy, healthy life once again.
If you or someone you know is in need of self-harm counseling, reach out to the therapists at Perspectives Of Troy Counseling Centers in Michigan by calling (248) 244-8644.