Overview

Nonsuicidal self-injury, commonly known as self-injury, refers to the deliberate act of causing harm to one's own body, such as cutting or burning, as a way to cope with emotional pain, sadness, anger, and stress. It's essential to note that self-injury is usually not a suicide attempt, but rather an unhealthy means of dealing with intense emotions.

Symptoms

Recognizing the signs of self-injury can be crucial in seeking help. Common symptoms include:

• Scars, often forming patterns
• Fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks, or other wounds
• Creating burns through excessive rubbing
• Keeping sharp objects for self-injury
• Wearing concealing clothing, even in hot weather, to hide self-injury
• Reports of frequent accidental injuries
• Difficulty in maintaining relationships with others
• Impulsive, intense, and unexpected behavioral and emotional changes
• Expressions of helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness

Forms of Self-Injury

Self-injury is often done privately and follows specific patterns, resulting in recognizable skin marks. Various forms of self-harm include:

• Using sharp objects to cut, scratch, or stab
• Burning with matches, cigarettes, or heated objects
• Carving words or symbols on the skin
• Self-hitting, punching, biting, or head banging
• Piercing the skin with sharp objects
• Inserting objects under the skin

While the most common targets are the arms, legs, chest, and belly, self-injury can occur in any body area, and some individuals use multiple methods.

Seeking Help

If you are engaging in self-injury or having thoughts of harming yourself, it's essential to reach out for help. Any form of self-injury indicates underlying stressors that require attention. Talk to someone you trust, such as a friend, family member, healthcare provider, or counselor, who can offer support and guide you towards appropriate treatment options. Remember, seeking help is a crucial step towards healing, and there are caring individuals who will support you without judgment.

Helping a Friend or Family Member

If you suspect that a friend or family member is self-injuring, it's essential to take their situation seriously and offer support. Here are some ways to help:

• If the person is a child, talk to their pediatrician or healthcare provider for an initial evaluation or referral to a mental health professional.
• If the person is a preteen or teenager, suggest that they talk to parents, a teacher, a school counselor, or another trusted adult.
• If the person is an adult, gently express your concern and encourage them to seek medical and mental health treatment.

Emergency Help

If you or someone else has severely injured themselves or is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Additionally, consider these options if you're having suicidal thoughts:

• Call your mental health provider if you have one.
• Contact a suicide hotline, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, or use the Lifeline Chat for free and confidential support.
• Seek help from your school nurse or counselor, teacher, or healthcare provider.
• Reach out to a close friend or family member.
• Contact a spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of self-injury are complex and multifaceted. Generally, self-injury may result from:

• Poor coping skills, leading to an inability to manage stress and emotional pain effectively.
• Difficulty in managing emotions, including feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, panic, anger, guilt, rejection, and self-hatred.
• Self-injury as a means to manage distress, provide a sense of control, or express internal feelings externally.

Various risk factors, such as a history of abuse, mental health issues, substance use, and social isolation, may increase the likelihood of engaging in self-injury.

Complications and Prevention

Self-injury can lead to various complications, including worsening feelings of shame, infection, permanent scars, and exacerbation of underlying issues if left untreated. While it's challenging to prevent self-injury entirely, early intervention and supportive environments can help reduce the risk. Strategies involve:

• Identifying at-risk individuals and offering help in developing healthy coping skills.
• Encouraging the formation of supportive social networks to improve communication and relationships.
• Raising awareness about self-injury and its warning signs.
• Encouraging open communication and seeking help when concerned about someone's well-being.
• Teaching critical thinking skills to reduce harmful media influences.