Premier Self-Harm Treatment Facility Serving San Jose, CA

Learn More About Self-Harm Treatment & Recovery at San Jose

Behaviors that are designed to inflict pain and/or damage onto one’s own body fall under the broad term of self-harm. Also sometimes referred to as self-injury or self-mutilation, self-harm occurs for a variety of reasons, including as a symptom of a mental health disorder, as a means of exerting control when one feels as though he or she has lost control of his or her life, and as an attempt to give physical presence to emotional or psychological suffering. Examples of the more common forms of self-harm including pulling out one’s hair; pinching, scratching, cutting, or burning one’s skin; hitting one’s head against walls or other hard objects; drinking caustic, poisonous, or other dangerous liquids; and attempting to break one’s own bones.

Though self-harming behaviors are undertaken with the intention to inflict pain and/or damage, and though they can directly or indirectly result in death, they are not classified as suicide attempts. People who engage in self-harm are not trying to kill themselves; instead, they are typically trying to punish themselves, exert control, or otherwise react to distressing experiences.

At an effective treatment program such as San Jose Behavioral Health Hospital, skilled and dedicated treatment professionals are prepared to provide the comprehensive care that can help men and women overcome the urge to engage in self-harm while also addressing the emotional and/or psychological issues that contributed to the development of this compulsion.

Helping a Loved One or Family Member Get Self-Harm Treatment

Discovering that a friend or family member has been engaging in self-harm can be a confusing and distressing experience. If you have found yourself in this position, please know that your loved one is in need of professional help, and that you can play an important role in getting him or her into treatment.

First, it is important to determine if your loved one’s actions constitute self-harm or attempted suicide. For example, slitting one’s wrists is often an attempt to end one’s own life, while cutting one’s upper arms, abdomen, or thighs are unfortunately common types of self-harm. It may be a daunting task, but you need to speak to your loved one. Discuss what you have seen, express your concern, and ask him or her if he or she has been considering or has attempted suicide.

You will need to use your best judgment to assess the risk that your loved one faces. If your loved one is at imminent risk for suicide, summon help immediately. Contact a suicide prevention hotline or call 911. If he or she has been engaging in self-harm, help is still needed, but an immediate emergency response is probably not necessary.

If your loved one has been engaging in self-harm, but is not suicidal, you will want to educate yourself about the nature of this problem. Talk to your family physician, visit websites of reputable mental health organizations, and consult with mental health experts to get a firm understanding of what he or she is experiencing. You should also research the types of treatment that have helped others who were struggling with problems similar to what your loved one is going through, and identify specific programs that provide the type and level of care that your loved one needs.

Ideally, do not attempt to do this all on your own. Enlist a small group of close family members or trusted friends who can help you to monitor your loved one’s safety, conduct research, talk to your loved one about getting help, and provide you with moral and emotional support. You cannot be the best source of support to a loved one in crisis if you have been neglecting your own physical, psychological, or emotional health.

Throughout the process of educating yourself and learning about treatment opportunities, you should continue to communicate with your loved one. If he or she acknowledges that he or she needs help, then you can incorporate him or her into your research efforts. If he or she denies that there is a problem or resists suggestions about treatment, then you will also want to get information and advice on how best to deal with a treatment-resistant individual. The treatment programs that you are considering may be able to help you with this.

When you speak with your loved one, emphasize your compassion and empathy, and do not forget that he or she is in crisis. Remember not to allow the conversation to devolve into an argument. This is not the time to make accusations, issue ultimatums, or otherwise put yourself in conflict with the person who you are trying to help.

When your loved one agrees to get help, provide whatever practical assistance is necessary to allow him or her to focus on his or her health. Transportation, meals, child care, medical appointments, and other demands can, at a time like this, feel like overwhelming challenges. Take responsibility for ensuring that these matters are taken care of, and give your loved one the freedom to enter treatment and regain his or her health.

Finally, remember that treatment is one step in what may be a lifelong process. Plan to be a source of active positive support before, during, and after your loved one is in treatment.

Why Consider Self-Harm Treatment at San Jose Hospital in San Jose, CA

When looking for treatment for self-harm, you or your loved one may have been searching broadly for “mental health rehab centers near me?” In San Jose, CA, there is one clear choice. An untreated compulsion to engage in self-harm can expose a person to myriad problems. Depending upon the ways that an individual has been harming him- or herself, physical damage can include broken bones, infections, and organ damage. People who engage in self-harm will typically go to great lengths to hide their behaviors; as a result, they may be hesitant to get medical care for problems such as cuts or burns that, if left untreated, can turn into severe health problems. Of course, even if a person has no desire to end his or her own life, the damage that he or she inflicts can be lethal, either immediately or as the result of long-term damage that is not brought to the attention of a qualified healthcare provider. In addition to suffering from physical injury, people who engage in self-harm are also likely to be experiencing significant psychological pain. Self-harm can be the result of experiencing stress or pressures that exceed an individual’s ability to cope. Yet, the act of self-harm, while undertaken as a means of addressing that psychological pain, can result in further suffering in the form of shame, guilt, and diminished self-esteem. In addition to the direct and indirect negative effects of the self-harm, the failure to get treatment for the mental health disorder that may be causing this behavior also exposes the individual to considerable ongoing damage. However, with effective care at a comprehensive program such as San Jose Behavioral Health, people who have been struggling with self-harm can learn how to overcome this compulsion, and can be empowered to pursue happier, healthier, and more satisfying futures.

Types of Self-Harm Treatment Offered at San Jose Hospital

San Jose Behavioral Health Hospital is an 133-bed inpatient treatment center where adult men and women ages 18 and above can receive comprehensive and compassionate care for a wide range of emotional and behavioral health issues, including those that may cause an individual to engage in self-harm.

Men and women who are being treated for self-harm at San Jose Behavioral Health will work in close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams of experienced professionals. Our staff features board-certified psychiatrists, internal medicine physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, mental health therapists, activity therapists, and mental health technicians.

Our treatment center places a premium on providing personalized care that has been customized to address the specific strengths, needs, and treatment goals of each person who heals with us. As a result, no two patients will have identical treatment experiences at San Jose Behavioral Health. Depending upon the specifics of a patient’s individualized plan, his or her treatment may feature the following elements:

Medication management: Prescription medications have proved to be quite effective in alleviating symptoms associated with certain mental health disorders, including those whose symptoms include self-harm. In order to ensure that all patients have the optimal opportunity for a successful treatment experience, we may incorporate medications into treatment plans when clinically appropriate. Patients whose treatment includes prescription medications will meet with a psychiatrist on a daily basis, and may also receive medication management services from members of our nursing staff.

Individual therapy: All patients, including those who are being treated for self-harm, will have the opportunity to participate in individual therapy sessions during their time in treatment at San Jose Behavioral Health. These one-on-one sessions between a patient and either a psychiatrist or mental health clinician allow the patient to process issues related to his or her treatment, address topics that he or she may be hesitant or unwilling to bring up in a group setting, and receive invaluable feedback from an experience professional. Individual therapy sessions at San Jose Behavioral Health are scheduled on an as-needed basis to ensure that all patients receive this form of therapy at the frequency that is most appropriate for them.

Group therapy: Group therapy is a fundamental element of treatment at San Jose Behavioral Health. Patients who are being treated for self-harm will have the opportunity to attend multiple group therapy sessions every day. These sessions, which will be led by registered mental health clinicians, activity therapists, registered nurses, or mental health technicians, are excellent opportunities for patients to learn from the insights and experiences of others, share their own thoughts, and practice skills such as giving and receiving support, expressing empathy, and communicating effectively. Types of group therapy sessions that are available at San Jose Behavioral Health include process groups, activity therapy groups, educational groups, and didactic groups.

Experiential therapy – As its name suggests, experiential therapy occurs in a more immersive and hands-on environment than do more traditional forms of talk therapy. At San Jose Behavioral Health, we provide patients with a variety of experiential therapy opportunities through which they can continue to make clinical progress while discovering new ways to express themselves and/or learn healthier ways to fill their leisure hours. Our experiential therapy offerings include expressive arts therapy, recreation therapy, and music therapy. These sessions scheduled on an individualized basis to ensure that each patient receive the type and frequency of experiential therapy that best meet his or her unique needs.

Family support services: At San Jose Behavioral Health, we are well aware of the degree to which an individual’s struggles with self-harm can impact close friends, family members, and other loved ones. We are also cognizant of the essential role that loved ones can play in an individual’s recovery, both during and after his or her time in residential treatment. As a result, we provide patients and family members with the opportunity to schedule family meetings or family therapy sessions on an as-needed basis. These sessions, which are led by a mental health clinician, provide a structured and supportive environment in which family members can address how they have been affected by the patient’s mental health problems, heal intrafamilial rifts and strengthen family bonds, and learn how to develop the skills that allow them to provide the best possible support for their loved one.

Discharge planning: Planning for a patient’s discharge and ensuring that he or she has the ongoing support that he or she needs begins the day that the patient enters our program. When a patient has completed his or her time with us, he or she will have a thorough plan that identifies the services and resources that will put him or her in the best position to maintain and improve upon the progress that he or she made while in treatment for self-harm with us.

San Jose Behavioral Health is your choice for self-harm disorder treatment when you or your loved one asks the question: what is the best mental health facility near me? At San Jose Behavioral Health, we are dedicated to providing the focused personalized care that will best prepare our patients who have been dealing with self-harm to experience continued success both during and after their time in treatment with us. For more information about our services, or for answers to specific questions about how we may be prepared to serve you or someone you love, please do not hesitate to contact us at your convenience. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you to make the most informed decision.