What are the Types of Self-Harm?

What are the Types of Self-Harm?

Many people equate self-harm with the act of “cutting.” This is understandable as it is the most commonly depicted type of self-harm in the media. However, there are many other types of self-harm. These include burning, scratching, hitting or punching oneself, making oneself sick, and self-inflicted emotional harm.

What is Self-Harm?

Self-harm is often defined by its more common types. According to the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, “NSSI [nonsuicidal self-injury] refers to the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned. Common examples include cutting, burning, scratching, and banging or hitting, and most people who self-injure have used multiple methods.”

Individuals may engage in self-harm as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, express pain, or gain a sense of control. It can also be a response to emotional numbness, where the act of self-harming allows the individual to feel something when they otherwise feel nothing. While self-harm is not a suicide attempt, it does increase the risk of suicide if left unaddressed. Self-harm can derive from many different places. It is often associated with issues of mental illness and addiction. Self-harm is particularly prevalent among people who struggle with issues of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

Trauma is more common than many people may think. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Frontiers in Psychiatry, “Exposure to traumatic events is not rare, as has been consistently found in epidemiological studies. The World Mental Health Surveys of adults were carried out among nearly 70,000 participants from 24 countries ranging in economic status from low to high. These data showed that at some time in their life, 70.4% of the respondents had experienced at least one type of traumatic event.” One of the results of these traumas for some of these people is that they will engage in self-harm.

What Are Some Types of Self-Harm?

As previously mentioned, the most common types of self-harm are physical. This includes when people cut, burn, scrape, or hit themselves intentionally. Now, it is important to note that this may not include people who harm themselves in a suicide attempt.

Many professionals argue that there is a significant difference between those who self-harm and those who attempt suicide and survive. This is why they are categorized differently and why attempted suicide is not considered a type of self-harm.

There is also an argument that one type of self-harm is addictive self-harm. This doesn’t mean that an individual is self-harming as a result of an addiction, but rather that the self-harm is a behavioral addiction. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Psychiatry Research, “More recently, researchers have argued that converging evidence supports conceptualizing NSSI as a disorder of emotion dysregulation. In addition to the conceptualizations described above, NSSI has also been viewed as an addictive behavior. Early work described a wide range of self-harm behaviors as addictive because they were both ‘coercive’ and ‘relieving’.”

Types of Self-Harm: The Signs and Symptoms

While many of the signs of self-harm are visible, there are also signs of emotional and mental nature. The following are just a few of the physical, mental, and emotional signs and symptoms of self-harm:

• Unusual attempts to cover up places where self-harm may occur (such as wearing long sleeves on a hot day)
• Isolating away from loved ones
• Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
• Expressing a dislike for oneself, and having low self-esteem
• Using alcohol and substances as a coping mechanism
• Exhibiting aggressive and excessive mood swings
• Seeming anxious and/or depressed
• Expressing suicidal ideations

If any, many, or all of these signs are present, it is highly recommended that help be sought as soon as possible. Doing so could be the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.

How to Help Someone Who Self-Harms

If you suspect that someone you know is self-harming, it’s important to approach the situation with care and understanding. Avoid being judgmental, and instead, express your concern and willingness to help. If the person is a minor, involve a trusted adult or encourage the child to speak to one. For adults, suggest seeking mental health counseling as it can provide them with the tools needed to cope with their emotions in healthier ways. Encourage them to reach out for professional help, as early intervention can make a significant difference.

If you are worried about someone who is hurting themselves

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.

At The Phoenix Recovery Center, self-harm is treated as a symptom rather than the whole problem. Our clinicians assess what sits underneath it, most often untreated trauma, depression, or a co-occurring substance use disorder, and build one plan that addresses all of it. Care runs from residential through day treatment, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient, so the level of support can change without changing providers.

Call (801) 438-3185 any day from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to talk with our admissions team, or verify your insurance benefits online.