Self Harm Behaviour among Teenagers

Abstract

Self-harm (self-injury) behaviour is defined as the direct injuring of body tissue, done without the intent to commit suicide. Other terms such as cutting and self-mutilation have been used for any self-harming behaviour regardless of suicidal intent. The most common form of self-harm is using a sharp object to cut one’s skin. Other forms include behaviour such as burning, scratching, or hitting body parts. While older definitions included behaviour such as interfering with wound healing, excessive skin picking, hair pulling and the ingestion of toxic substances or objects as self-harm, in current terminology those are differentiated from the term self-harm. Behaviours associated with substance abuse and eating disorders are not considered self-harm because the resulting tissue damage is ordinarily an unintentional side effect. Although suicide is not the intention of self-harm, the relationship between self-harm and suicide is complex, as self-harming behaviour may be potentially life-threatening. There is also an increased risk of suicide in individuals who self-harm and self-harm is found in 40–60% of suicides. However, generalising individuals who self-harm to be suicidal is, in the majority of cases, imprecise.