There is a report today saying that there is an alarming rise in the number of people self harming.

PROMIS has always treated self harm as part of the spectrum of compulsive disorders. We see the process of excitement and anticipation of harming, the release of tension and feeling of euphoria and then the subsequent crash and depression that follow as being so similar to the addictive compulsive cycle for other behaviors like bulimia or illegal drug use that even if it were a different process, the treatment method should be the same. For example, look at the way that drug addicts often become obsessed with the paraphernalia of using, self harmers can have the same relationship with their paraphernalia. Have a look at the way that bulimics have a strong sense of anticipation leading up to a binge purge process, followed by a terrible crash and depression. I think it is easy to see the parallels.

In terms of recovery, our approach for all addictive processes is to stop the behavior and to find other ways of expressing and managing feelings. Another corner stone of our treatment is to help people rebuild their self worth and value themselves again. Without this extensive rebuilding of the individual there is little hope of recovery.

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