Mesa, Arizona’s Preferred Self-Harm Disorder Hospital

Signs of self-harm may be difficult to recognize because people who engage in these behaviors may go to great lengths to hide their actions. However, there are some common signs and symptoms that can indicate when someone might be self-harming, including: 

• Scars or marks: A person who is engaging in self-harm behaviors may have noticeable scars. These physical marks are typically on areas of the body that can be easily hidden, such as the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms. 
• Frequently wearing long sleeves or pants: Someone who is trying to conceal self-harm wounds may often wear clothing that covers physical marks. Long sleeves or pants may commonly be worn even in hot temperatures. 
• New bruises, bite marks, burns, or cuts: Those who are self-harming may frequently have unexplained, fresh wounds. Oftentimes, these marks can appear on the same area of the body or in repetitive patterns. 
• Keeping sharp objects close by: People who self-harm may carry or own a collection of sharp tools or objects, such as knives, needles, and razors.  
• Withdrawal from loved ones: If a person is self-harming, they may isolate themselves from friends or family to hide wounds or because of fear of judgment. 

Those who self-injure may regularly voice their emotional distress or discuss feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, or hopelessness. Others may experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, like persistent sadness, irritability, or poor performance at work or in school.  

Additional emotional symptoms of self-harm include: 

• Difficulty regulating or processing emotions 
• Guilt or shame 
• Emotional numbness 
• Low self-esteem 

Self-harm can lead to a range of physical and emotional effects if left untreated. With the help of a professional at a reputable self-harm treatment center, those who are suffering can learn to process emotions in a healthy manner and end their pattern of harmful behaviors.  

The long-term negative consequences of self-harm may include: 

• Severe physical injuries, such as tissue damage and infections 
• Permanent scars 
• Feelings of shame, guilt, or self-loathing 
• Increased emotional distress  
• Social isolation 
• Strained interpersonal relationships 
• Avoidance of social, work, or academic opportunities  
• Onset of other mental health concerns  
• Increased risk for death by suicide  

At our self-harm treatment center, you can reduce your risk for the negative effects of self-harm by participating in highly effective programming. We’ll help you identify your short- and long-term goals and provide you with the support and resources you need to make strides toward a healthier future.  

While self-harm can impact people of all ages, it is often more prevalent among adolescents and young adults. The following statistics about self-harm are published in the National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine:  

• 27% of adolescents ages 13-20 reported engaging in self-harm behaviors at least once. 
• Recurrence of self-harm behaviors in adolescent males increased after age 15. 
• In adolescent females, recurrence of self-injury remained high from age 13 onward. 
• Generally, less than half of adolescents who engaged in self-harm behaviors utilized mental healthcare services. 

Self-harm statistics are staggering, and unfortunately, instances of self-harm may often be underreported due to fear of judgment or shame. If someone you love is self-harming, offering support and helping them find the care they need can change their life. 

At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, we are committed to providing comprehensive, individualized care. We take the time to get to know each of our patients personally so that we can better understand the challenges they are facing and how we can help them achieve their treatment goals. 

We understand that each person who turns to us for support has different needs. To ensure that we are providing every patient with the right level of support and the most effective therapeutic interventions, we conduct a thorough assessment of their needs before inpatient program admission. 

Using the details from each patient’s evaluation, we can tailor their care in a way that promotes their long-term success. Our behavioral health and medical professionals collaborate on each patient’s care and continually monitor them throughout treatment, adjusting their treatment plan as needed along the way to reflect their progress. 

By offering evidence-based therapies and round-the-clock care, we strive to help those who are struggling with self-harm behaviors stabilize and make progress toward better health. At the end of their time in the program, we want our patients to be able to transition seamlessly back to their daily lives or to a less restrictive level of care. 

Customized treatment plans in the inpatient treatment program may include:  

• Medication management services: At our inpatient self-harm treatment center, patients who take medication as part of their care plan can benefit from daily meetings with licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). Our nursing staff administers medications and monitors their effects. 
• Medical care: Each patient takes part in a medical assessment before admission and may receive basic follow-up services as needed throughout their stay. These services are provided by experienced physicians and RNs.  
• Detox services: Patients in our inpatient self-harm treatment program may benefit from detox services if they are struggling with addictions. We offer on-site, medical detox services provided by a certified addictionologist. Patients typically participate in the detox program for seven to 10 days before beginning inpatient treatment. During their time in detox, they can take part in group therapy. If the patient is going through withdrawal from opioids, they may be prescribed Suboxone to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.  
• Group therapy: We offer a robust schedule of group therapy sessions. Patients take part in an average of four sessions each day. Led by licensed therapists, psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) groups cover a wide range of topics, including relapse prevention, education, goal setting, life skills, and coping mechanisms. Group therapy offers a unique opportunity for patients to learn valuable coping strategies while establishing meaningful connections with peers. Developing camaraderie with others who have had similar experiences can be highly beneficial for patients who are struggling with feelings of loneliness. 

We are pleased to provide many additional interventions that have yielded positive treatment outcomes for people who have acute mental health concerns and addictions. Evidence-based therapies and services we utilize include CBT, dialectical behavior therapy, and 12-Step programming. CBT may be especially effective for those who self-harm because it can help them develop healthier coping mechanisms and alter negative thought patterns. 

Self-harm behaviors often accompany addictions and behavioral health disorders like depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. For this reason, it’s important for those who self-injure to engage in professional treatment that addresses underlying emotional pain or mental health struggles.  

At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, we provide comprehensive inpatient treatment to help patients learn practical tools to process difficult emotions, boost self-esteem, and productively deal with stress. With our guidance and support, those in our care can successfully reduce their reliance on self-harm behaviors as a coping mechanism and drastically improve their overall quality of life. 

Located in Mesa, Arizona, our modern, 100-bed facility offers a safe and nurturing space where patients can stabilize and work toward lasting healing. We employ a compassionate and skilled staff that includes psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners, RNs, LPNs, licensed clinical social workers, behavioral health specialists, licensed professional counselors, dietitians, certified recreational therapists, and yoga instructors. We strive to establish a sense of trust with each patient so that they feel empowered to play an active role in their treatment. 

In addition to a highly trained and empathetic team, our self-harm inpatient program features:  

• 24/7 monitoring 
• A secure therapeutic environment 
• Structured treatment schedules 
• In-depth assessments 
• Detailed aftercare plans 

If you or someone you love is struggling with self-harm behaviors, we encourage you to reach out to our team today. We are proud to offer a seamless admissions process and superior customer service to help those in need get into treatment as quickly as possible. Making the brave decision to participate in self-harm treatment is the first step on a life-changing journey to healing. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital.