Most researchers agree that self injury (SI) is self-inflicted bodily harm severe enough, or sufficient, to cause tissue damage or marks that last for several hours, done without suicidal purpose or intent to attain sexual pleasure. In a much wider sense self harm can include overworking, going without pain relief medication when needed, forcing oneself to stay awake, over and under eating plus many other things.


SI in the main is done as a way of coping with overwhelming arousal. This can be to express emotion, to deal with feelings of unreality or numbness, to reduce disassociation, to make flashbacks stop, to punish the self and stop self-hating thoughts, or to deal with a feeling of impending explosion. SI is more about relieving tension or distress than is it about anything else.

Although cutting is the most frequent form of SI, burning and head-banging are also very widespread. Other forms include biting, skin-picking, hair pulling, hitting the body with objects or hitting objects with the body, etc.

Even though SI is a crude, ultimately destructive coping method, but it works. That's why it sometimes seems to have addictive qualities. 

Most people whom self-injure hate the term "self-mutilation." That phrase speaks to intent and maiming the body is usually not the intent of SI anyway. Better phrases are self- inflicted violence, self-harm, and self-injury. Most prefer the term self harm.