20

Self-harm is a symptom frequently found among the psychiatric population, particularly in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). We will first present the epidemiological links between self-harm and BPD. Then we will illustrate how psychoeducation is a key element in treatment. Finally, we focus on the importance of emotional acceptance, cognitive restructuring, and alternative thoughts, in order to break the “tension–self-harm–relief” cycle. This work is intended to be a first step in raising awareness among the various stakeholders of the importance of non-drug treatment and in offering avenues for brief psychotherapeutic intervention such as CBT.