Self-harm
Self-harm (pronounced: /sɛlf hɑːrm/), also known as self-injury or self-mutilation, is the act of deliberately causing harm to oneself. It is often associated with mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders.
Etymology
The term "self-harm" comes from the combination of the words "self" and "harm", indicating the act of causing harm to oneself. The term "self-injury" is similar, with "injury" referring to the act of causing physical harm or damage. "Self-mutilation" is a more severe term, with "mutilation" referring to the act of causing serious damage or disfigurement.
Definition
Self-harm is defined as the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue, often done without suicidal intentions. These activities may be aimed at relieving otherwise unbearable emotions, sensations of unreality and numbness, or for other reasons.
Types of Self-Harm
There are various forms of self-harm, including but not limited to:
- Cutting: This is the most common form of self-harm, where individuals use a sharp object to make cuts on their skin.
- Burning: Some individuals may choose to burn their skin as a form of self-harm.
- Punching or hitting: This involves individuals hitting or punching themselves, often resulting in bruises or other injuries.
- Hair pulling: Also known as trichotillomania, this involves individuals pulling out their own hair.
Treatment
Treatment for self-harm often involves psychotherapy or counseling, and may also include medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to help individuals understand their self-harming behavior and develop coping strategies.
See Also
- Mental health
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Eating disorders
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Self-harm
- Wikipedia's article - Self-harm
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