Self-Harm Treatment Center & Hospital in Chattanooga, TN

Get the facts about treatment for self-harm at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital

Self-harm is an extremely dangerous practice where an individual purposefully inflicts pain or damage onto their own body. Self-harm is also known as self-injury or self-mutilation. The most common types of self-harm include cutting, pinching, burning, pulling out hair, and drinking poisonous or otherwise dangerous liquids.

A common misconception is that individuals who self-harm do so because they’re suicidal. Self-harm is not a suicidal behavior. Individuals who self-harm may do so to gain a sense of control of their life when it seems out of control. Another common reason for someone to self-harm is to punish themselves for making a mistake or failing at a certain task. However, even though an individual may not be suicidal when they self-harm, it’s not hard to see how self-harm can lead to serious injury or even death.

Self-harm can be a symptom of a mental health disorder, but this is not always the case. Some people who engage in self-harm are not suffering from a mental illness. Whatever the underlying cause, it is important to know that treatment is available for anyone who self-harms. With proper care, a person can overcome the urge to engage in self-harm and pursue a much healthier and more satisfying future.

Helping a loved one or family member get treatment for self-harm

If you have discovered that someone you care about has been engaging in self-harm, you may be experiencing a variety of distressing emotions. Fear, frustration, confusion, and even anger are perfectly understandable responses when confronted with something as troubling as this. However, it’s vital that you don’t let your initial struggles prevent you from taking necessary action.

Self-harm is a complex matter. Your loved one likely needs effective professional treatment. But that doesn’t mean you’re helpless in this situation. You can play a key part in their treatment and recovery. Here are some steps to consider when helping your loved one:

• The first thing you want to do is make sure your loved one is safe. Self-harm can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. If you sense that your loved one is in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call 911 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
• After you’re certain that your loved one is safe and secure, research self-harm. It’s important to learn as much as you can about this issue. Be sure to get your information from reputable online sources and trusted organizations. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to help your loved one.
• In addition, research local treatment centers and explore treatment options for self-harm. Your goal in this effort should be to identify centers that offer the types and levels of treatment that appear to be the best fit for your loved one.
• Keep the lines of communication open with your loved one. Be willing to talk candidly and, most importantly, listen. Be someone your loved one can turn to. They are going through a lot emotionally, and they need people in their lives that they can trust.
• Share the information you’ve gathered about treatment for self-harm. Let your loved one know that you care about their health and that you want the best for them.
• Be prepared for some pushback. Depending upon the nature and severity of your loved one’s struggles, they may be unwilling to consider treatment. They may respond with denial or even anger. Remember that your loved one is in crisis. Stay positive, and don’t allow the conversation to descend into an argument.

Treatment for self-harm can be an important first step, but it’s just one of many steps on the path of long-term recovery. Be prepared to support your loved one during and after their time in treatment. Depending upon the scope of the challenges they’re facing, recovery may be a long process, with successes and setbacks along the way. Plan to be a supportive presence through it all.

Why you should consider receiving care at our self-harm treatment hospital

Self-harm can lead to serious injuries, and it can even be fatal. People who don’t get treatment for self-harm may experience broken bones, infections, organ damage, and a wide range of additional physical damage.

Untreated self-harm is also associated with harm to a person’s mental, emotional, and social well-being.

People who engage in self-harm typically have to be secretive and deceptive about their behaviors. This might cause relationships to become strained or ruined, which in turn can lead to withdrawal or isolation. The emotional strain of untreated self-harm, combined with the lack of an effective support network, can cause or worsen symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges.

The combined physical and emotional impact of untreated self-harm can make it difficult for a person to perform to expectation in school or at work. This can lead to academic setbacks, job loss, unemployment, and financial struggles. Without proper treatment, self-harm can have a devastating impact on virtually all parts of a person’s life.

Thankfully, there is treatment available for anyone who struggles with self-harm. With the right help, you can overcome the urge to harm yourself, and can once again live a happier and more hopeful life.

Learn about therapies used in self-harm treatment at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital

Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital is a state-of-the-art, inpatient mental health and addiction treatment facility. Our high-end treatment center serves multiple cities and states, including Tennessee, North Georgia, and Alabama, offering acute care for patients who need crisis stabilization in a safe and secure setting.

Surrounded by trees, fields, and seasonal flora and fauna, our hospital provides a welcoming respite for patients to begin healing from self-harm. Comfortable care rooms, courtyard areas for relaxation, and a large gymnasium for exercise and recreation offer a well-rounded treatment experience.

At Erlanger, patients receive the most innovative approach to self-harm treatment, with programming that is customized to meet their individual needs.

At Erlanger, our mission is to deliver excellence in the treatment of self-harm, and to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by its symptoms. We strive to deliver compassionate, effective care that empowers our patients on their unique paths to healing from self-harm.

Our self-harm treatment center takes great pride in our ability to provide care in a manner that best meets the needs of our patients. One way that we do this is by offering four distinct programs that allow our patients to receive treatment for self-harm in a setting and amidst a population that is most reflective of their needs and stages of life.

These programs include an adult psychiatry program for patients age 18 and older, a geriatric psychiatry program for patients age 65 and older, and a dual diagnosis program for adults age 18 and older. All programs offer a fully comprehensive approach to care, incorporating a variety of evidence-based therapeutic interventions into each patient’s treatment plan. When a patient receives care for self-harm at our treatment center, they have access to the following:

Medical care: If a patient has a chronic, but stable, medical condition in addition to self-harm, we are able to offer the additional attention they need. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses provide medical care for those patients who require these services. Patients have the ability to meet with our medical staff daily.

Medication management: Medication is often a beneficial component in treating self-harm. The use of medication, however, is always determined on a case-by-case basis. For those patients who will benefit from medication, our self-harm treatment center has psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses who provide medication management services. Patients can expect to meet with a psychiatrist daily.

Detoxification: For patients who are struggling with addiction concerns in addition to self-harm symptoms, we offer nonmedical detoxification services on-site. Detox at our treatment center typically lasts between three and seven days. During this time, patients are also able to participate in therapeutic programming so that all of their needs are being met simultaneously. Medication-assisted treatment is also available as part of our detox services, including the use of Suboxone and Subutex. Each patient will work with their treatment team to determine whether to use these medications during detox.

Individual therapy: Licensed social workers and counselors provide confidential one-on-one individual therapy sessions for patients who are struggling with self-harm. These sessions offer patients the opportunity to discuss their concerns, process their experiences in treatment, and celebrate successes as they begin recovering from self-harm. The frequency of individual therapy sessions at our self-harm treatment center is determined throughout the patient’s treatment planning process.

Group therapy: Group therapy is an important part of the healing process at our self-harm treatment center. Our highly qualified staff members, including nurses, social workers, counselors, and activity therapists, lead several groups each day and encourage patients to actively support one another in treatment. There are a variety of groups offered, including the following:

• Recovery groups
• Community groups
• General processing groups
• Psychoeducational groups

Family therapy: When patients are struggling with self-harm, it can be extremely beneficial to include their family members in the treatment process. At our self-harm treatment center, licensed social workers and counselors lead family therapy sessions with patients and their loved ones. Not only does this give family members an opportunity to learn more about self-harm, what their loved one is going through, and ways that they can help, but it also provides them with a safe space to discuss how their loved one’s concerns have impacted them as well.

Continuing care options for self-harm treatment

Treatment does not simply end once your stay at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital is complete. From the time that you are admitted into our self-harm treatment center, your treatment team will begin creating your discharge plan, which will be updated as you progress through treatment. This plan may include referrals to step-down levels of care, information on community resources that are available to you, referrals to support groups, and anything else that your treatment team believes will help you remain successful in healing from self-harm.

If you believe that you or your loved one could benefit from the care provided at our self-harm treatment center, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Our knowledgeable, compassionate staff members are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you may have, explain more about our programming, and get you started in the admissions process.