self-harm
Last updatedWhat to know
Self-harm is often used synonymously with “self-injury” or “non-suicidal self-injury.” It encompasses a range of behaviors, including cutting, biting, scratching, and burning. Though self-harm does not necessarily mean someone has suicidal intent, if left unaddressed, self-harm can be a risk factor for suicide.
Generally when discussing self-harm, person-first language (e.g., “person who cuts themself” rather than “cutter” or “self-harmer”) frames the phenomenon as something a person is doing versus an identity that defines who they are. Terms like “self-abuse” or “self-violence” can stigmatize the person and make it sound like they are committing a crime.
When the intent is to cause long-term damage or scarring, self-harm can be called self-mutilation, though the term can be stigmatizing. Notice whether an individual you’re writing about describes their own behavior as self-mutilation; that will help you decide whether the term serves your reporting.
When behavior injures a person’s body, but their motive isn’t to harm themself, it should be called self-injurious behavior (SIB). Pathological levels of nail-biting or skin-picking may fall under this category. However, the term SIB is typically used in the context of autism. For example, an autistic person may scratch their skin to distract themself from harsh, irritating noises. Generally, the purpose of SIB isn’t to injure one’s body to manage emotional pain, but to use physical sensations to cope with environmental stressors. (However, sometimes self-harm and self-injurious behavior can overlap.)
Additional resources
- Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: What We Know, and What We Need to Know (Canadian Journal of Psychiatry)
- Understanding Self-Injury Among Autistic Individuals (GoodTherapy)
Summary
When a person intentionally harms themself, often to cope with distressing situations or overwhelming emotions. Generally when discussing self-harm, person-first language (e.g., “person who cuts themself” rather than “cutter” or “self-harmer”) frames the phenomenon as something a person is doing versus an identity that defines who they are. Terms like “self-abuse” or “self-violence” can stigmatize the person and make it sound like they are committing a crime.