User:Mr. Ibrahem/Self-harm
Intentional injury to one's own body without the intention to commit suicide / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Self-harm | |
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Other names | Self-injury (SI), self-poisoning, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), deliberate self-harm (DSH), cutting |
Healed scars on the forearm from prior self harm | |
Specialty | Psychiatry |
Symptoms | Multiple cuts, stabs, or burns[1] |
Complications | Suicide[2] |
Usual onset | Teenagers[3] |
Risk factors | Borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, substance misuse, autism, hopelessness, friends who self harm[1][4] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptom, after ruling out a suicide attempt[1] |
Treatment | Wound closure, counselling[4][1] |
Medication | Naltrexone[1] |
Prognosis | Usually resolves by early adulthood[4] |
Frequency | 17% at some point[2] |
Self-harm is intentional behavior to harm oneself, without a desire to die by suicide.[5][1] The most common example is direct injury of the skin usually with a sharp object or heat.[1] Often multiple areas of injury are created.[1] Other methods may include overdose or punching themselves.[5] People who self-harm often feel shame afterwards.[6] They are also nearly ten times more likely to attempt suicide.[2]
It is commonly associated with borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, substance misuse, and autism.[1] Thought, it may also occur in people without other mental health problems.[4] Other associations include hopelessness, friends that self-harm, and a history of abuse.[4] Some use it as a coping mechanism to provide temporary relief from intense feelings.[1] There is also support that it may be used as self-punishment, a cry for help, and to deal with interpersonal conflict.[1]
It does not include socially accepted practices such as tattooing or piercing.[4] It also does not include indirect injury such as may occur from eating disorders or substance misuse.[4] Initial treatment may require wound closure.[4] Long term management involves addressing associated conditions together with cognitive behavioral therapy.[1] Part of therapy is to develop better way to deal with stress.[1] Some people may be help by naltrexone.[1]
Self-harm is most common in teenagers, becoming less common after 18.[3][4] It affects about 17% of people at some point in time.[2] Females are affected about 1.7 times as often as males.[2] Other groups in who it is more common include LGBT, prisoners, and veterans.[5] Rates have been fairly steady between 2002 and 2017.[4] The risk of suicide is higher in older people who self-harm.[7] Captive animals, such as birds and monkeys, also may have self-harming behavior.[8]