Definition

Self-mutilation or self-injury is any form of self-harm inflicted on your body without the intent to commit suicide. Self-mutilation is a compulsive act that may be performed to release emotional pain, anger, or anxiety ; to rebel against authority; to flirt with risk-taking; or to feel in control. In some cases, the behavior is outside your emotional control and related to a neurological or metabolic disorder.

Causes

Self-mutilation is a severe impulse control disorder that is often associated with other psychiatric disorders. These include:

• Borderline personality disorder (most common)
• Depression
• Substance abuse ( alcoholism or drug abuse )
• Eating disorders ( anorexia or bulimia )
• Psychosis
• Antisocial personality disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Brain—Psychological Organ

Self-mutilation is often associated with psychiatric disorders that may be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.

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It can also be associated with neurologic or metabolic disorders such as:

• Syringomyelia
• Tourette syndrome
• Autism
• Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for self-mutilation include:

• Childhood sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
• Violence or other abusive relationships in childhood home
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Incarceration
• Sex: female
• Age: adolescence
• Mental retardation
• Autism
• Certain metabolic disorders

Symptoms

The symptoms of self-mutilation vary. The most common symptoms include:

• Cutting of skin with a sharp object (most common)
• Skin carving or burning
• Self-punching or scratching
• Needle sticking
• Head banging
• Eye pressing
• Finger, lips, or arm biting
• Pulling out one's hair
• Picking at one's skin

Rarely, in very severe cases, self-mutilation can include:

• Broken bones
• Amputation
• Castration
• Suicide

Diagnosis

Self-mutilation can be difficult to diagnose. People who self-mutilate often feel guilty and ashamed about their behavior, and may try to hide it. A doctor may first see the physical harm caused by self-mutilation. To be diagnosed, symptoms should meet the following criteria:

• Preoccupation with physically harming oneself
• Inability to resist self-injurious behavior resulting in tissue damage
• Increased tension before and a sense of relief after self-injury
• Having no suicidal intent in the self-mutilation

Treatment

Treatment usually includes medical and psychological treatment, and medications.

Prevention

The best preventative measure is to seek professional help as soon as possible for depression, trauma, emotional problems, or other disorders that may lead to self-mutilation.