Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRecognizing Self-Harming BehaviorTraits and CharacteristicsCausesTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Recognizing Self-Harming Behavior

Traits and Characteristics

Causes

Treatment

Self-harm is a way of trying to ease emotional pain through intentionally causing physical harm. Self-harming behaviors often include self-injury, like cutting or burning the skin, and intentional self-poisoning, like taking more medications than prescribed.

If you or a loved one are struggling with self-harming behaviors or other distressing mental health concerns, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with self-harming behaviors or other distressing mental health concerns, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

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Teenage boy looking through the window at home

It might not always be easy to know if someone is harming themselves. Because self-harm is associated with risk-taking behaviors, looking at a person’s lifestyle may be an indicator as to whether that person is currently engaging in or at risk for developing self-harming behaviors.Alcohol abuse, for example, is a big risk factor for future self-harm.

Other signs to look for include markings or scars on a person’s body and threats of suicide or self-harm. Though unintentional forms of risk-taking—like speeding and unprotected sex—are not considered self-harming behaviors, these are also important to pay attention to, given the association between risks and self-harm.

What if I Think Someone Is Self-Harming?

Maladaptive Behavior and Mental Health: What’s the Link?

Self-harming behaviors are overwhelmingly seen in adolescents. People who self-harm usually are between the ages of 15 and 24, and they tend to be female.

Though self-harm is most common in young people, adults can exhibit these behaviors as well, especially if they have a history of self-harm. Older adults are particularly at risk for self-harm, and those in this age category who self-harm are at higher risk for eventual suicide than other adults.

It’s important to pay attention to self-harming behaviors. Even if there have been no suicide attempts in the past, self-harm is strongly linked to suicidal ideations and actions.

Those who harm themselves often repeat the behavior. Ongoing incidents of self-harm are usually a sign that the person is dealing with continued distress and can mean that the person is at higher risk for eventual suicide.

People who self-harm are often suffering from at least one other type ofmental health disorder. Common co-occurring mental illnesses includepersonality disorders, especiallyborderline personality disorder,depression,bipolar disorder,schizophrenia, and drug- and alcohol-use disorders.

Along with mental health disorders, life challenges and developmental stages that bring significant stress can also contribute to self-harming behaviors. Adolescents who are going through puberty (sexual maturity), for example, are much more likely to engage in actions that are self-harming than those in other life stages. This is likely due to the natural increases in risk-taking and the lack of emotional control that coincide with this period in a young person’s life.

Keep in mind that people who self-harm may have an undiagnosed mental disorder. Even if there are no known mental health concerns, self-harm can still be a risk, especially in adolescents.

There has been relatively little research done on the most effective methods of treatment for those with self-harming behaviors, and there isn’t one main recommendation for the best type of intervention.Still, there are some treatment approaches that have been proven to have a positive impact, including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves identifying negative thoughts and how they are related to behaviors, with the goal of changing thoughts and actions to more positive ones. CBT has been shown to be most effective with specific groups of people who self-harm, including those who have recurring incidents.

Problem-Solving Therapy

Dialectic Behavior Therapy

Dialectic behavior therapy, or DBT, is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy. It focuses specifically on helping people live in the moment such as through mindfulness, practicing relaxation techniques to tolerate distress, working on relationships, and regulating emotions.

What Is Meditation?

Summary

Self-harming behaviors are a way of expressing emotional or psychological distress through deliberately causing physical pain to the body. These types of actions are most common in adolescents, though they can continue into adulthood, and older adults are also at risk for self-harm.

Although they can be recurring, all self-harming incidents should be taken seriously, as self-harm can eventually lead to suicide.

Talking to a mental health professional is the best way to learn specific signs and to determine the right treatment plan.

A Word From Verywell

Dealing with any amount of emotional distress is difficult. It may feel like there is no way to relieve that pain beyond harming yourself. Cutting, taking pills, or harming yourself in some other way will only help you feel better temporarily.

Long-term support can help you work through the underlying thoughts and experiences that bring on such painful feelings. Talk to your doctor or call your insurance company to find a mental health professional who can help.

8 SourcesVerywell Health 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.Moran P, Coffey C, Romaniuk H, et al.The natural history of self-harm from adolescence to young adulthood: a population-based cohort study.Lancet. 2012;379(9812):236-243. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61141-0Troya MI, Babatunde O, Polidano K, et al.Self-harm in older adults: systematic review.The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;214(4):186-200. doi:10.1192/bjp.2019.11.Hawton K, Witt KG, Salisbury TLT, et al.Interventions for self‐harm in children and adolescents.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(12). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012013.Kapur N, Steeg S, Webb R, et al.Does clinical management improve outcomes following self-harm? Results from the multicentre study of self-harm in England.PLOS ONE. 2013;8(8):e70434. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070434.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Self-Harm: Longer-Term Management.British Psychological Society; 2012.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Self-Harm: Longer-Term Management.British Psychological Society; 2012.Hatcher S, Sharon C, Parag V, Collins N.Problem-solving therapy for people who present to hospital with self-harm: Zelen randomised controlled trial.The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(4):310-316. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.110.090126.Kothgassner OD, Goreis A, Robinson K, Huscsava MM, Schmahl C, Plener PL.Efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescent self-harm and suicidal ideation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychological Medicine. 2021;51(7):1057-1067. doi:10.1017/S0033291721001355.

8 Sources

Verywell Health 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.Moran P, Coffey C, Romaniuk H, et al.The natural history of self-harm from adolescence to young adulthood: a population-based cohort study.Lancet. 2012;379(9812):236-243. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61141-0Troya MI, Babatunde O, Polidano K, et al.Self-harm in older adults: systematic review.The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;214(4):186-200. doi:10.1192/bjp.2019.11.Hawton K, Witt KG, Salisbury TLT, et al.Interventions for self‐harm in children and adolescents.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(12). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012013.Kapur N, Steeg S, Webb R, et al.Does clinical management improve outcomes following self-harm? Results from the multicentre study of self-harm in England.PLOS ONE. 2013;8(8):e70434. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070434.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Self-Harm: Longer-Term Management.British Psychological Society; 2012.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Self-Harm: Longer-Term Management.British Psychological Society; 2012.Hatcher S, Sharon C, Parag V, Collins N.Problem-solving therapy for people who present to hospital with self-harm: Zelen randomised controlled trial.The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(4):310-316. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.110.090126.Kothgassner OD, Goreis A, Robinson K, Huscsava MM, Schmahl C, Plener PL.Efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescent self-harm and suicidal ideation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychological Medicine. 2021;51(7):1057-1067. doi:10.1017/S0033291721001355.

Verywell Health 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.

Moran P, Coffey C, Romaniuk H, et al.The natural history of self-harm from adolescence to young adulthood: a population-based cohort study.Lancet. 2012;379(9812):236-243. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61141-0Troya MI, Babatunde O, Polidano K, et al.Self-harm in older adults: systematic review.The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;214(4):186-200. doi:10.1192/bjp.2019.11.Hawton K, Witt KG, Salisbury TLT, et al.Interventions for self‐harm in children and adolescents.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(12). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012013.Kapur N, Steeg S, Webb R, et al.Does clinical management improve outcomes following self-harm? Results from the multicentre study of self-harm in England.PLOS ONE. 2013;8(8):e70434. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070434.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Self-Harm: Longer-Term Management.British Psychological Society; 2012.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Self-Harm: Longer-Term Management.British Psychological Society; 2012.Hatcher S, Sharon C, Parag V, Collins N.Problem-solving therapy for people who present to hospital with self-harm: Zelen randomised controlled trial.The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(4):310-316. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.110.090126.Kothgassner OD, Goreis A, Robinson K, Huscsava MM, Schmahl C, Plener PL.Efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescent self-harm and suicidal ideation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychological Medicine. 2021;51(7):1057-1067. doi:10.1017/S0033291721001355.

Moran P, Coffey C, Romaniuk H, et al.The natural history of self-harm from adolescence to young adulthood: a population-based cohort study.Lancet. 2012;379(9812):236-243. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61141-0

Troya MI, Babatunde O, Polidano K, et al.Self-harm in older adults: systematic review.The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;214(4):186-200. doi:10.1192/bjp.2019.11.

Hawton K, Witt KG, Salisbury TLT, et al.Interventions for self‐harm in children and adolescents.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(12). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012013.

Kapur N, Steeg S, Webb R, et al.Does clinical management improve outcomes following self-harm? Results from the multicentre study of self-harm in England.PLOS ONE. 2013;8(8):e70434. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070434.

National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Self-Harm: Longer-Term Management.British Psychological Society; 2012.

Hatcher S, Sharon C, Parag V, Collins N.Problem-solving therapy for people who present to hospital with self-harm: Zelen randomised controlled trial.The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(4):310-316. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.110.090126.

Kothgassner OD, Goreis A, Robinson K, Huscsava MM, Schmahl C, Plener PL.Efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescent self-harm and suicidal ideation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychological Medicine. 2021;51(7):1057-1067. doi:10.1017/S0033291721001355.

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