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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you or a loved one is suicidal or in emotional distress, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24-hour crisis line at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).
Coping tips if you self-injure
- Try to find ways to cope other than injuring yourself, such as reaching out to a friend, practicing relaxation techniques, contacting a support group or getting in touch with your doctor.
- Resolve not to underestimate the ability to change your life in positive ways.
- Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs; they affect your ability to make good decisions and can put you at risk of self-injuring.
- Shun Internet sites that support or glamorize self-injury. Instead, seek out sites that are supportive of your recovery efforts.
Coping tips if your loved one self-injures
- Try not to judge or criticize. Criticism may increase the risk of self-harming behavior.
- Let your child know you love him or her no matter what.
- Take care of yourself, too. Take some time to do the things you enjoy doing, and get adequate rest. You may also find it helpful to talk to other people who've gone through the same thing you're going through now. Ask your child's or loved one's doctor or therapist if there are any local support groups for parents or other loved ones of people who self-injure.
References
- Wedig MM, et al. Parental expressed emotion and adolescent self-injury. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007;46:1171.
- Hewlett WA. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. In: Ebert MH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Psychiatry. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3286970. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- Lloyd-Richardson EE, et al. Characteristics and functions of non-suicidal self-injury in a community sample of adolescents. Psychological Medicine. 2007;37:1183.
- Martiniuk ALC, et al. Self-harm and risk of motor vehicle crashes among young drivers: findings from the DRIVE Study. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2009;181:807.
- Klonsky ED. The functions of deliberate self-injury: A review of the evidence. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session. 2007;27:226.
- Nock MK, et al. Non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents: Diagnostic correlates and relation to suicide attempts. Psychiatry Research. 2006;144:65.
- Factsheet: Self-injury - Warning signs. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=C7DF983B-1372-4D20-C800C76DEFCBAE2F. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- Hasking PA. Brief report: Emotion regulation and coping as moderators in the relationship between personality and self-injury. Journal of Adolescence. In press. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- Suicidal behavior in children and adolescents. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec19/ch300/ch300h.html. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- Klonsky ED, et al. Self-Injury: A Research Review for the Practitioner. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session. 2007;63:1045.
- Claes L, et al. Brief report: The association between non-suicidal self-injury, self-concept and acquaintance with self-injurious peers in a sample of adolescents. Journal of Adolescence. In press. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- Factsheet: Self-injury. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/self-injury. Accessed May 3, 2010.
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