What Mental Illnesses Are Commonly Associated With Self-Harm?
There are many underlying issues that may lead to self-harm. Many of those underlying issues are traced back to the manifestation of mental illness. However, this is not true of all mental illnesses. There are more common mental illnesses that are associated with self-harm. The good news is that, regardless of the illness, there are many means, methods, and modalities that can help an individual recover (and stay recovered) from self-harm.
The Prevalence of Mental Illness in the U.S.
Mental illness, and mental illness associated with self-harm, remains highly prevalent in the U.S. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Mental illnesses are common in the United States. It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (57.8 million in 2021). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe.”
This last aspect of “severity” is very important to remember. Mental illness occurs on a spectrum. This is also why mental illness should always be considered in relation to the individual rather than the diagnosis.
Understanding the Spectrum of Mental Illnesses
The Father of Western medicine, Hippocrates, famously said, “It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.” This is especially true when it comes to mental illness associated with self-harm.
Mental illness occurs on a spectrum from mild to severe. This spectrum also applies directly to specific mental illnesses. For example, on the broader spectrum of mental illness, functional depression may be on the mild side of the spectrum while schizophrenic may be on the more severe. Within those two types, there is mild to severe functional depression and mild to severe schizophrenia.
So, the spectrum of mental illness can be very layered. However, mental illness that includes the symptom of self-harm is generally on the more severe side of the spectrum.
Better Understanding Self-Harm
Self-harm generally refers to the act of harming oneself physically. According to the Industrial Psychiatry Journal, “Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is defined as ‘intentional self-poisoning or self-injury irrespective of the type of motive or the extent of suicidal intent, is one important predictor of completed suicide.’ A similar term nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) which simply refers to self-injury without the intent of suicide. The term NSSI is used more in the American subcontinent and is included as conditions for further study in the [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition].”
Self-harm also remains prevalent, especially among certain populations like young people. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Prevalence of self-harm is high, estimated at 17% in adolescents in a recent meta-analysis… While some self-harm is attempted suicide, there is increasing interest in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) – deliberately harming one’s body without any intent to end life. This delineation between suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm is controversial, with some considering the distinction valid but others arguing that suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm should not be separated, given that intent is often unclear, and many people engage in both.”
What Mental Illnesses Are Commonly Associated With Self-Harm?
It is important to note that self-harm can manifest in any mental illness. There are no parameters as to where it may or may not present itself. However, there tend to be some mental illnesses that are more closely associated with self-harm.
Self-harm is more closely associated with psychiatric disorders (as well as some physical ones). According to the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, “Psychiatric illnesses, especially depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse disorders, are well-known risk factors for self-harm. Associations between physical illness and self-harm are less well-established, particularly in young people.”
Some other mental illnesses that are associated with self-harm include bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorder (SUD), and many eating disorders. Many of these disorders have various signs and symptoms, but self-harm tends to look like cutting, burning, and self-inflicted hitting.
The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities for treating self-harm. This includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and art therapy, and holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and meditation.
A Focus on Long-Term Success With The Phoenix Recovery Center
Our motto at The Phoenix Recovery Center is “Empowering individuals and families suffering from addiction and mental health disorders, to celebrate life through lasting solutions.” That is what we refer to as the Phoenix difference.
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over mental illness and self-harm rather than short-term “fixes.” Recovery is out there. There is hope and help. The key is to have faith and follow that path toward rewarding recovery.
People struggling with any mental illness can engage in self-harm. However, self-harm is more common in certain mental illnesses. This is especially true for people struggling with anxiety and depression. Also, many young people with unidentified mental illnesses often engage in self-harm as a “cry for help.” If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. There is hope. For more information about mental illness, self-harm, and effective treatment options, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
