Tips to aid recovery

 

People who self-injure might be given the option to see a counsellor, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or mental health team. A trained mental health clinician will be able to help people who self-injure to figure out how to cope differently with their feelings and experiences.Talking about things might help people understand what made them start self-injury in the first place - if they don't already know.

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However recovery from self-injury is not simply about stopping the behaviour. Recovery is a long process that will include exploring the reasons for self-injury, and learning how to cope with difficult emotions. It is not uncommon for people to continue to have thoughts of self-injury for a long time after the behaviour stops. The important thing is to focus on how to cope with intense or unwanted emotions and to keep practicing new coping strategies.