by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: March 25, 2007   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Self-injury, in its simplest terms, can be defined as an individual's deliberate self-inflicted injury. Broader definitions, however, also include individuals who inflict harm on their bodies by means of disordered eating, compulsive tattooing or piercing, or other self-destructive behaviors. This recurrent behavior is listed as a symptom of borderline personality disorder and is sometimes associated with mental illness.

Self injury, contrary to popular belief, is not associated with suicide attempts, as the person does not seek to end his or her life. Instead, the individual uses this destructive behavior as a coping tool for the on-going stressors of life. These individuals are essentially deflecting emotional pain by experiencing "true" physical pain.

A common form of self-injury involves making shallow cuts on the skin, which is referred to as "cutting." Unfortunately, however, cutting, when utilized as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or depression, can become psychologically addictive, because as the injurer inflicts pain, endorphins are released in the brain, causing an addictive high which can only be satisfied with more pain.

No diagnostic criteria have been set for self-injury. It is often seen as a symptom of an underlying issue. Self-injury is also typically an indicator of depression.

Fortunately, a combination of counseling and skills training can often effectively treat this disorder. In most cases, cognitive-behavioral therapies are used to assist the patient in understanding his or her personal triggers for self-injuring behaviors and help them establish healthier coping strategies. Writing in a journal to express anxiety rather than cutting, for example, is definitely a beneficial alternative for self-injurers.

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