Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Self-Mutilation?CausesPrevalenceRisk Factors for Self-MutilationTreatmentHow to HelpResources
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Self-Mutilation?
Causes
Prevalence
Risk Factors for Self-Mutilation
Treatment
How to Help
Resources
Close
The content of this article may be very triggering if you engage in self-mutilation. Please consider this carefully before reading on.
Self-mutilation is very difficult to understand if you have never experienced the urge to engage in this behavior yourself. If you have a friend or family member withborderline personality disorder(BPD) who self-mutilates, it can be scary, confusing, and frustrating. By understanding why self-mutilation occurs, you can help your loved one cope with these urges and act as a support network for that individual.
At a GlancePeople who engage in self-mutilation are often struggling to cope with intense emotions, memories, and bodily sensations. Certain mental health conditions can increase the risk of this behavior, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, dissociative disorders, and substance use disorders. Treatment can help, so it is important to reach out to a professional if you or a loved one are engaging in self-mutilation. Keep reading to learn more about what causes this behavior, factors that may play a role, and where you can turn for help.
At a Glance
People who engage in self-mutilation are often struggling to cope with intense emotions, memories, and bodily sensations. Certain mental health conditions can increase the risk of this behavior, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, dissociative disorders, and substance use disorders. Treatment can help, so it is important to reach out to a professional if you or a loved one are engaging in self-mutilation. Keep reading to learn more about what causes this behavior, factors that may play a role, and where you can turn for help.
Self-mutilation involves the direct and deliberate destruction or alteration of the body. Examples of these behaviors includecutting, burning, sticking oneself with needles, and severe scratching. The research frequently uses the term nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI).
Self-mutilation is usually very different than other self-harming behaviors. Research has shown that individuals who engage inself-harmare usuallynottrying to kill themselves when they engage in the behavior, although some may report that they have mixed feelings about the intent of the act.
This is not to say that people who engage in self-mutilation are not suicidal; many people who self-mutilate also have suicidal thoughts or even make suicide attempts. In addition, in cases of very severe self-mutilation, people have died from their injuries.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
Why People Engage in Self-Mutilation
Many believe that people engage in self-mutilation to get attention. This is a myth. Most people who self-harm do it in private and make sure that the marks or scars are hidden.
Self-harmers often will wear long sleeves to cover these signs. They are likely ashamed of the behavior and keep it a secret. Particularly for those with BPD who haverejection sensitivity, they worry continuously about people finding out about their secrets.
Research has shown that most people self-mutilate in order to help regulate internal experiences such as intense emotions, thoughts, memories, and physical sensations.
Research suggests that people with borderline personality disorder may engage in self-injury as a way to increase their sense of personal agency. BPD can cause people to experience dissociative episodes and an altered sense of body awareness.Self-mutilation, therefore, acts as a maladaptive coping strategy for people with BPD who are struggling struggling with dissociation and feelings of agency.
Who Engages in Self-Mutilation?
Unfortunately, self-mutilation is a common behavior, particularly among those with BPD. One study found that risk factors for deliberate self-harm includedsuicidal ideation, abuse and neglect during childhood, and comorbid mental health conditions.
Past research suggested that self-mutilation was more common in women and girls. However, there is variability in the findings, and some research indicates it may occur at equal or higher rates in men and boys.
Some evidence has found that some methods of injury, such as cutting, are more common in women and girls, while other methods, like burning or self-hitting, do not show a gender disparity.
People who have experienced maltreatment during their childhood, such as through sexual abuse or neglect, or who were separated from a caregiver in childhood, are at greater risk for self-mutilation than the general population.
Effects of Childhood Trauma
Factors that can increase the risk for self-mutilation include:
Related Conditions
People with BPD have a higher risk for self-mutilation, but it can also occur in other conditions, including:
Treatment for Self-Mutilation
Because self-mutilation is often an attempt to manage intense feelings,cognitive-behavioraltreatments for self-mutilation focus on helping the person find new, healthier ways of managing emotions and thoughts.
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medications to helpregulate emotionsand feelings and decrease the urge to self-harm.
Medications for Borderline Personality Disorder
When a Friend or Loved One Self-Mutilates
If you are going to talk to your friend or loved one about self-mutilation, it’s important to do it in a non-judgmental fashion. Approaching them calmly and with care can make the person feel heard and understood.
Before talking with a loved one, it may be a good idea to consult with a therapist who specializes in treating BPD and self-mutilation. He can give you professional advice on the best way to approach the situation without frightening or upsetting your loved one.
If you or someone you know is struggling with self-mutilation, there are a variety of treatment resources available includingfinding a therapistto talk to.
If you or someone you know is self-harming or having suicidal thoughts, call 988 to talk to a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
LGBTQ+ youth who are coping with self-harm can contact the Trevor Project’s Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
If you or a loved one are struggling with self-mutilation, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with self-mutilation, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Klonsky ED, Victor SE, Saffer BY.Nonsuicidal self-injury: what we know, and what we need to know.Can J Psychiatry. 2014;59(11):565-568. doi:10.1177/070674371405901101Taylor PJ, Jomar K, Dhingra K, Forrester R, Shahmalak U, Dickson JM.A meta-analysis of the prevalence of different functions of non-suicidal self-injury.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;227:759-769. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.073Miller M, Redley M, Wilkinson PO.A qualitative study of understanding reasons for self-harm in adolescent girls.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(7):3361. doi:10.3390/ijerph18073361Colle L, Hilviu D, Rossi R, Garbarini F, Fossataro C.Self-harming and sense of agency in patients with borderline personality disorder.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:449. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00449Moe AM, Llamocca E, Wastler HM, et al.Risk factors for deliberate self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults with first-episode psychosis.Schizophr Bull. 2022;48(2):414-424. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbab123Victor SE, Muehlenkamp JJ, Hayes NA, Lengel GJ, Styer DM, Washburn JJ.Characterizing gender differences in nonsuicidal self-injury: Evidence from a large clinical sample of adolescents and adults[published correction appears in Compr Psychiatry. 2018 Oct;86:143].Compr Psychiatry. 2018;82:53-60. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.01.009Hu C, Huang J, Shang Y, Huang T, Jiang W, Yuan Y.Child maltreatment exposure and adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury: the mediating roles of difficulty in emotion regulation and depressive symptoms.Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2023;17(1):16. doi:10.1186/s13034-023-00557-3Liu RT, Sheehan AE, Walsh RFL, Sanzari CM, Cheek SM, Hernandez EM.Prevalence and correlates of non-suicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2019;74:101783. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101783Huang C, Yuan Q, Ge M, et al.Childhood trauma and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of psychological sub-health.Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:798369. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.798369Huang H, Ding Y, Wan X, et al.A meta-analysis of the relationship between bullying and non-suicidal self-injury among children and adolescents.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):17285. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22122-2Cipriano A, Cella S, Cotrufo P.Nonsuicidal self-injury: A systematic review.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1946. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01946Klonsky ED, Victor SE, Saffer BY.Nonsuicidal self-injury: what we know, and what we need to know.Can J Psychiatry. 2014;59(11):565-568. doi:10.1177/070674371405901101
12 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Klonsky ED, Victor SE, Saffer BY.Nonsuicidal self-injury: what we know, and what we need to know.Can J Psychiatry. 2014;59(11):565-568. doi:10.1177/070674371405901101Taylor PJ, Jomar K, Dhingra K, Forrester R, Shahmalak U, Dickson JM.A meta-analysis of the prevalence of different functions of non-suicidal self-injury.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;227:759-769. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.073Miller M, Redley M, Wilkinson PO.A qualitative study of understanding reasons for self-harm in adolescent girls.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(7):3361. doi:10.3390/ijerph18073361Colle L, Hilviu D, Rossi R, Garbarini F, Fossataro C.Self-harming and sense of agency in patients with borderline personality disorder.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:449. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00449Moe AM, Llamocca E, Wastler HM, et al.Risk factors for deliberate self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults with first-episode psychosis.Schizophr Bull. 2022;48(2):414-424. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbab123Victor SE, Muehlenkamp JJ, Hayes NA, Lengel GJ, Styer DM, Washburn JJ.Characterizing gender differences in nonsuicidal self-injury: Evidence from a large clinical sample of adolescents and adults[published correction appears in Compr Psychiatry. 2018 Oct;86:143].Compr Psychiatry. 2018;82:53-60. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.01.009Hu C, Huang J, Shang Y, Huang T, Jiang W, Yuan Y.Child maltreatment exposure and adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury: the mediating roles of difficulty in emotion regulation and depressive symptoms.Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2023;17(1):16. doi:10.1186/s13034-023-00557-3Liu RT, Sheehan AE, Walsh RFL, Sanzari CM, Cheek SM, Hernandez EM.Prevalence and correlates of non-suicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2019;74:101783. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101783Huang C, Yuan Q, Ge M, et al.Childhood trauma and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of psychological sub-health.Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:798369. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.798369Huang H, Ding Y, Wan X, et al.A meta-analysis of the relationship between bullying and non-suicidal self-injury among children and adolescents.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):17285. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22122-2Cipriano A, Cella S, Cotrufo P.Nonsuicidal self-injury: A systematic review.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1946. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01946Klonsky ED, Victor SE, Saffer BY.Nonsuicidal self-injury: what we know, and what we need to know.Can J Psychiatry. 2014;59(11):565-568. doi:10.1177/070674371405901101
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Klonsky ED, Victor SE, Saffer BY.Nonsuicidal self-injury: what we know, and what we need to know.Can J Psychiatry. 2014;59(11):565-568. doi:10.1177/070674371405901101Taylor PJ, Jomar K, Dhingra K, Forrester R, Shahmalak U, Dickson JM.A meta-analysis of the prevalence of different functions of non-suicidal self-injury.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;227:759-769. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.073Miller M, Redley M, Wilkinson PO.A qualitative study of understanding reasons for self-harm in adolescent girls.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(7):3361. doi:10.3390/ijerph18073361Colle L, Hilviu D, Rossi R, Garbarini F, Fossataro C.Self-harming and sense of agency in patients with borderline personality disorder.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:449. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00449Moe AM, Llamocca E, Wastler HM, et al.Risk factors for deliberate self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults with first-episode psychosis.Schizophr Bull. 2022;48(2):414-424. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbab123Victor SE, Muehlenkamp JJ, Hayes NA, Lengel GJ, Styer DM, Washburn JJ.Characterizing gender differences in nonsuicidal self-injury: Evidence from a large clinical sample of adolescents and adults[published correction appears in Compr Psychiatry. 2018 Oct;86:143].Compr Psychiatry. 2018;82:53-60. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.01.009Hu C, Huang J, Shang Y, Huang T, Jiang W, Yuan Y.Child maltreatment exposure and adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury: the mediating roles of difficulty in emotion regulation and depressive symptoms.Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2023;17(1):16. doi:10.1186/s13034-023-00557-3Liu RT, Sheehan AE, Walsh RFL, Sanzari CM, Cheek SM, Hernandez EM.Prevalence and correlates of non-suicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2019;74:101783. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101783Huang C, Yuan Q, Ge M, et al.Childhood trauma and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of psychological sub-health.Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:798369. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.798369Huang H, Ding Y, Wan X, et al.A meta-analysis of the relationship between bullying and non-suicidal self-injury among children and adolescents.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):17285. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22122-2Cipriano A, Cella S, Cotrufo P.Nonsuicidal self-injury: A systematic review.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1946. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01946Klonsky ED, Victor SE, Saffer BY.Nonsuicidal self-injury: what we know, and what we need to know.Can J Psychiatry. 2014;59(11):565-568. doi:10.1177/070674371405901101
Klonsky ED, Victor SE, Saffer BY.Nonsuicidal self-injury: what we know, and what we need to know.Can J Psychiatry. 2014;59(11):565-568. doi:10.1177/070674371405901101
Taylor PJ, Jomar K, Dhingra K, Forrester R, Shahmalak U, Dickson JM.A meta-analysis of the prevalence of different functions of non-suicidal self-injury.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;227:759-769. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.073
Miller M, Redley M, Wilkinson PO.A qualitative study of understanding reasons for self-harm in adolescent girls.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(7):3361. doi:10.3390/ijerph18073361
Colle L, Hilviu D, Rossi R, Garbarini F, Fossataro C.Self-harming and sense of agency in patients with borderline personality disorder.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:449. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00449
Moe AM, Llamocca E, Wastler HM, et al.Risk factors for deliberate self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults with first-episode psychosis.Schizophr Bull. 2022;48(2):414-424. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbab123
Victor SE, Muehlenkamp JJ, Hayes NA, Lengel GJ, Styer DM, Washburn JJ.Characterizing gender differences in nonsuicidal self-injury: Evidence from a large clinical sample of adolescents and adults[published correction appears in Compr Psychiatry. 2018 Oct;86:143].Compr Psychiatry. 2018;82:53-60. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.01.009
Hu C, Huang J, Shang Y, Huang T, Jiang W, Yuan Y.Child maltreatment exposure and adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury: the mediating roles of difficulty in emotion regulation and depressive symptoms.Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2023;17(1):16. doi:10.1186/s13034-023-00557-3
Liu RT, Sheehan AE, Walsh RFL, Sanzari CM, Cheek SM, Hernandez EM.Prevalence and correlates of non-suicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2019;74:101783. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101783
Huang C, Yuan Q, Ge M, et al.Childhood trauma and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of psychological sub-health.Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:798369. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.798369
Huang H, Ding Y, Wan X, et al.A meta-analysis of the relationship between bullying and non-suicidal self-injury among children and adolescents.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):17285. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22122-2
Cipriano A, Cella S, Cotrufo P.Nonsuicidal self-injury: A systematic review.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1946. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01946
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