|
What is Self Injury? |
| Self Injury, (SI) also known as self-harm, self-mutilation,) is probably the most misunderstood forms of self-harm, making it very difficult for the injurer to ask for help. It is any form of self-harm which involves inflicting injuries or pain to one's own body, and can take many forms. The most common of these forms is probably cutting one's self, usually superficially, but sometimes deeply. Other forms of SI include burning themselves, punching themselves, or hitting their bodies against something. Some pick their skin, or pull out their hair. A clinical definition of self injury is: "...the commission of deliberate harm to one's own body. The injury is done to oneself, without the aid of another person, and the injury is severe enough for tissue damage (such as scarring) to result. Acts that are committed with conscious suicidal intent or are associated with sexual arousal are excluded." -- Winchel and Stanley (1991) |
Quotes from the Bristol Crisis Service for Women