Crisis Intervention (Focus on understanding and changing pathological behaviors)

Group Therapy (Helps with impulse control disorders-learn to handle urges and impulses)

Show Concern

Encouragement (Encourage the mutilator to come out of isolation and seek help)

Applaud and Reward Any Steps Taken to Break The Cycle

Do NOT Pass Judgement on The Mutilator

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Behavioral Therapy

Get The Mutilator to Acknowledge That There Is a Problem--This Is The First Step Toward Recovery

Spiritual Support

Supervision

Peer Collaboration

Individual and Family Therapy

Self-help Strategies

Use of Community Resources

Support Groups

Counseling

Call a Friend

Guided Imagery--imagine you're in a calmer, safter place

Talk to a Health Care Provider

Antidepressants

Atypical Antipsychotics--Clozaril and Zyprexa--used for patients with borderline personality disorders

Mood Stabilizers--Lithium, Divalproex, and Topamax--used for patients with bi-polar disorders and patients with patterns of self-mutilation that has cycling properties

Anxiolytics--Klonopin and Ativan--sedatives--control agitation and mutilation attempts--used on inpatients with high drug abuse--highly addictive medication--may cause behavioral disinhibition---higher risk of behavioral disinhibition with mentally challenged patients----not usually used on outpatients because of highly addictive nature of the medication

Opiate Antagonists--Revia and Revex--used on mentally challenged and autistic patients

Dialectial Behavior Therapy (DBT)--psychotheraputic used to treat personality disorders

Psychopharmacology--Anxiolytics--prevent escalation of panic and generalized anxiety

Deep Breathing

Relaxation, Yoga, Meditation Techniques

Distractions--music, TV, go for a walk, be with your pet, etc...

Write In Your Diary/Journal

Squeeze Ice Cubes Until The Urge Goes Away

Take a Hot Bath--Don't Scald Yourself!!!

Draw Red Lines

Hit or Scream Into a Pillow

Visualizations

Art Therapy

Cognitive Re-Framing

Write

Draw

Exercise

Mindfulness Training

Snap a Rubber Band Around Your Wrist

Relaxation Training

Exposure Therapy

Response Prevention

Partial Hospitalization--increase coping skills, strengthen sense of self-reliance, and individual responsibility

Increased Frequency of Visits

Educate Patient to Use Medications--atypical neuroleptics and benzoadines as needed