Self-Injurious BehaviorSelf-Injurious (SI) behavior is classified as purposefully hurting yourself repeatedly. Self-injury includes: cutting, scratching, burning, punching yourself or objects, bruising or breaking bones, pulling out your hair, and several other types of bodily harm. The behaviors can become life threatening and might be a sign of a more serious issue such as mental health problems that can be treated.
Self-injury usually starts at adolescence and can continue well into adulthood. Tools used usually consist of shavers, cigarettes, glass, knives, and tacks. SI tends to begin due to being ostracized by peers and abuse in the home.
Many other conditions tend to be in addition to the SI. Many SI victims are struggling with substance abuse and/or eating disorders. SI can become not only habitual to harm ones self but also addictive and deadly. People can lose their control over themselves and that can lead to suicide. Sometimes SI can be an indicator of these mental illnesses: Depression, Bi-Polar, Manic-Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety, OCD, and Schizophrenia.
Therapy is a great way to let out to a trustworthy person what you are feeling. Or, try keeping a diary. Some people say these methods worked to help keep them from hurting themselves: 1) put a rubber band around your wrist, when you feel like hurting yourself, snap it against your skin. 2) Rub an ice cube against your skin. 3) Meditate. 4) Talk to someone.
Hospitalization is always an option, and from there you may have the chance to go to an intervention residential. Those with SI behaviors should be evaluated and treated. A few Organizations and websites you can call include: