What is self-harm?

Self-harm is when you hurt yourself intentionally. Sometimes referred to as nonsuicidal self-injury disorder, individuals who engage in self-harm act in ways that harm them but are not intended to kill. They may hurt themselves by:

• To help them cope: People self-harm because they feel good doing it or to prove that they can stand pain or to alleviate feelings of negativity.
• To control emotions by directing them inside: Some people self-harm to punish themselves or take their anger out on themselves.
• To communicate with others about their distress or need for support.

How do patients suffering from the disorder injure themselves?
Self-harm can be in many ways. Some are more common than others, but all involve risks. Some of the most common self-harm behaviors include:

• Self-inflictedcuts or breaks to the skin with sharp objects.
• Burning with something hot like cigarettes, matches or heated sharp objects, or with chemicals like household cleaning products.
• Blowing or hitting with solid objects,such as punching a wall, which can cause impact injuries.
• Scratching/rubbing those results inskin damage.

What are some symptoms of nonsuicidal self-injury?

You might try to hide your self-harm from others. You might wear long sleeves or pants even in hot weather to hide marks. You might also come up with stories to explain your injuries as accidents. Still, people may notice these signs of self-injury:

• Scabs or scars in some shape or pattern.
• Multiple burns of the same size and/or shape.
• Involuntary blurring of lines, constant accidents and new scratches, bite marks, bruises, or swelling.
• Problems with impulse control, such as they just can't stop scratching an area of skin.

Where on the body do people self-harm?

Most probably, the individual will self-harm in any one of these areas on their body:

• On Arms (especially forearms)
• On Wrists
• In front of Thighs
• On Abdomen

Self-injury, though less prevalent, may still occur in other parts of the body.

What makes a person self-harm?

It is really difficult to say exactly what makes a person self-harm. However, the following mental health conditions are commonly associated with self-injury:
Anticipation.

• The self-actualization of autism.
• The effect of bipolar disorder.
• Borderline Personality Disorder.
• The state of Depression.
• Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders like Conduct Disorder and Intermittent Explosive Disorder.
• Dissociative Disorder, particularly Dissociative Identity Disorder and Dissociative Amnesia.
• Food or eating disorders, particularly Anorexia Nervosa.
• Gender Dysphoria.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Sleeping disorders.
• Conditions and disorders about Substance Use including Alcohol Intoxication, Alcohol Use Disorder and Cannabis Use Disorder.

What is the risk factor for self-injury disorder?

Risk factors for self-injury include:

• History of abuse or trauma: Self-harm is far more common among individuals with a history of trauma or abuse, such as childhood abuse or other adverse experiences.
• Age: The likely beginning of self-harm behavior will occur between the ages 12 and 14, but it may begin even sooner. Those who practice self-harming behavior often do it year-round. Self-harming tends to occur most often among young adults, including students who are in college.
• Gender identity: Non-cisgender individuals-that is, those who don't accept the sex they were assigned at birth-have higher rates of self-harm. Experts connect that with a higher risk of adverse life events, such as abuse and bullying.
• Sexual orientation: Individuals who fall within sexual minorities (in other words, they are not heterosexual) also have greater percentages of self-harm. Specialists say the percentages of self-harm are greater because sexual minority persons have more negative life circumstances.
• Social isolation: Those persons who feel isolated in the society or rejected, and above all children and teenagers are being bullied or ostracized for other reasons than those, have higher percentages of self-harm.

How is self – injury disorder diagnosed?

It might be difficult to diagnose given how it occurs. Individuals involved with nonsuicidal self-injury tend to hide out these injuries and not discuss anything that happened.

Doctors do not use a special test to diagnose self-harm. Instead, they examine your injuries for patterns and scars from previous self-harm. They also ask questions about your medical and social history. They also discuss what's going on in your life with you. They seek out things that may contribute to stress, such as financial difficulties, the loss of a family member, school problems, bullying or a break-up.

How is self-harm treated?

If you have a health care provider visit concerning self-harm, then they would first tend to your injuries if you needed it. Long-term, they may refer you for therapy and/or medications to address underlying mental health conditions and life stressors.

What are the possible risks of not treating self-harm?

Getting help for self-harming is crucial because there are several short- and long-term risks involved.

Short-term risks

Sometimes, self-harming causes complications you did not intend, including:

• Medical complications: Self-injury can lead to infection, nerve damage, and sometimes severe and permanent and/or scarring. Occasionally, it results in death.
• Social complications: The disorder can impair your interpersonal relationships with your family members, friends, or other loved ones. Self-injury may also affect your attitude towards society such as in workplaces or classrooms.

Long-term dangers

Self-injury can also cause you long-lasting problems, for instance;

• Deterioration of mental health: This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and regret. You may also fear that people will notice injuries and take great pains in covering or hiding injuries and scars.
• More severe injuries: Self-harm behaviors have a tendency to escalate more often. You may develop the habit of self-harming more frequently, or even your self-harm may escalate.
• Risk of suicide: Nonsuicidal self-injury disorder does not involve intent to kill oneself. However, the risk of suicide attempt or suicide death is many times higher for individuals who self-injure.

Can self-harm be prevented?

Although prevention of first-time self-injury is not always possible, engaging with a mental health care professional may decrease the likelihood that an individual will continue to engage in self-injury.

When should I see a doctor about self-injury?

If you find that you (or someone you love) are hurting yourself, seek a healthcare provider. Your wounds may need medical attention. It also can be very helpful to learn that you aren't alone. Your healthcare provider can listen and support you. They can suggest a course of treatment that fits your needs.

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