Self-harm
(Redirected from Self-poisoning)
Self-harm, also known as self-injury, is defined as the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue, usually done without the intent to commit suicide.[1] Other terms such as cutting and self-mutilation have been used for any self-harming behavior regardless of suicidal intent.[2] The most common form of self-harm involves cutting of the skin, but self-harm also covers a wide range of behaviors including, but not limited to, burning, scratching, banging or hitting body parts, interfering with wound healing, hair pulling (trichotillomania) and the ingestion of toxic substances or objects.[3]
Types and Motivations[edit | edit source]
Self-harm is often associated with a history of trauma and abuse, including emotional abuse, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and troubled parental or partner relationships. Those who self-harm sometimes describe it as a way to cope with emotional pain or to express feelings that can't be put into words.[4] It is often seen in people with borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders.[5]
Diagnosis and Treatment[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis is typically made based on a physical examination and the person's medical history. Medical professionals ask about thoughts of suicide, self-harm behaviors and intentions, as well as feelings of hopelessness. Treatment for self-harm tends to be based on managing underlying psychological issues. This can be achieved through psychotherapy or medication.[6]
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), can help a person understand the triggers for their behavior and develop new coping mechanisms. In some cases, medication may be helpful.[7]
Prognosis and Prevention[edit | edit source]
While self-harm behaviors can lead to serious physical injury or death, they are not typically attempts at suicide. However, people who self-harm are at a higher risk of suicide, and any self-harming behavior should be taken seriously.[8] With appropriate treatment, individuals can recover from the cycle of self-harm. It's important to note that self-harming behaviors can become habitual and hard to stop without professional help.
Prevention strategies include early identification of individuals at risk, along with timely mental health support. Schools, healthcare providers, and parents can play crucial roles in identifying signs of self-harm and facilitating access to appropriate services.[9] School-based programs teaching coping skills could be beneficial.[10]
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Self-injury/cutting". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Self-harm". NHS. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Self-harm". Mental Health Foundation. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Self-injury/cutting". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Self-Harm". National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Self-harm". Mental Health Foundation. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Treatment for self-harm". NHS. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "The Relationship between Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Attempted Suicide: Converging Evidence from Four Samples". Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Preventing self-harm in young people: this is an evidence-free zone". British Medical Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "School-Based Self-Harm Prevention Programs". The Journal of School Nursing. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD