Life After Self-Harm: A Guide to the Future

by Schmidt,Ulrike

• ISBN13: 9781583918425
• ISBN10: 1583918426
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-05-07
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

In many countries there has been an alarming increase in rates of suicide and self-harm, yet the stigma attached to these difficulties often leads to sub-optimal care.

Author Biography

Ulrike Schmidt is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital and Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, London Kate Davidson is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Greater Glasgow Primary Care NHS Trust. She is currently Director of the Glasgow Institute of Psychosocial Interventions

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	viii
Major health warning	ix
Note to health care practitioner	x
1 Getting started	1	(28)
Introduction	1	(1)
You are not alone	2	(1)
Why do people harm themselves?	2	(5)
Trying to understand your reasons for harming yourself	7	(4)
Is there anybody out there?	11	(2)
Some further thoughts	13	(5)
What next?	18	(1)
Key points to remember	19	(10)
2 What to do in a crisis	29	(12)
Getting support	29	(1)
Keeping yourself safe	30	(1)
Trying not to slide down into a pit of loneliness and despair	30	(1)
Don't expect miracles! Remember practice makes perfect!	30	(3)
Things I still want to do	33	(1)
Crisis plan	34	(1)
Key points to remember	35	(6)
3 Learning to solve problems	41	(22)
Help! My life is a mess	41	(1)
Learning to disentangle your problems	42	(1)
Step 1: Finding possible solutions through brainstorming	43	(2)
Step 2: Looking at options in detail	45	(1)
Step 3: Choosing a solution that fits you	46	(1)
Step 4: Finding ways of putting your solution into practice	47	(1)
Step 5: Carry out your plan step by step	47	(1)
Step 6: Check progress in problem solving	48	(1)
Any questions?	48	(6)
Key points to remember	54	(9)
4 Learn to change your thinking	63	(22)
Let's make a start by looking at moods	64	(4)
Linking feelings and thoughts	68	(1)
A thought is not a fact: Learn to recognize skewed thinking	69	(3)
Where does this kind of skewed thinking come from?	72	(1)
The memory trap or why does my thinking overwhelm me?	73	(1)
Starting a thought record	73	(2)
How to challenge biased thinking	75	(3)
Key points to remember	78	(7)
5 Alcohol, drugs and pills: do you need to cut down or stop?	85	(12)
Should you be worried about your alcohol intake?	86	(1)
Should you cut down or stop drinking?	87	(3)
Have the guts to stop or cut down drinking!	90	(2)
Should you be worried about your drug intake?	92	(1)
Should you be worried about your consumption of tranquillizers or sleeping tablets?	92	(1)
How to deal with sleeping difficulties	92	(1)
Key points to remember	93	(4)
6 Some further thoughts	97	(10)
What can you learn from the past?	97	(1)
What if you find yourself slipping again?	98	(1)
"If only..." From change to accepting what cannot be changed	99	(2)
Final words: A new beginning	101	(1)
Key points to remember	102	(1)
Further reading	102	(5)
7 For relatives and friends	107
What can you do now?	108	(1)
Your own feelings	108	(1)
Non-critical listening	109	(1)
Increasing self-worth	109	(1)
Getting involved with life again	109	(1)
Professional help	109