Non-suicidal self harm (NSSI) has been documented throughout history. It is defined as deliberate tissue damage without suicidal intent and involves repetitively harming areas of the body like cutting, burning, scratching, or bone breaking. Common signs to look for include scars, fresh wounds, bruises or broken bones. Those who engage in NSSI often have a previous mental health diagnosis, abuse history, problems with emotion regulation, and lack social support. Self harm can be understood as attempting to regulate difficult emotions or states of consciousness, similar to how addicts use substances. The presentation provided community resources for help or alternatives to self harm.

1. S
Presented by
Shannon E. Fyfe, MS, CADC
6.30.16
Non-suicidal
Self Harm

2. History
S Oedipus Rex (500 B.C.)
S Vincent van Gogh (1888)
S Boston Corbett (1858)
S Many well known poets in the
1960’s & 1970’s
S Princess Diana
S Christina Ricci
S Courtney Love
S Johnny Depp
S Angelina Jolie
S Colin Ferrall
S Demi Lovato
PAST PRESENT

3. Definitions
S Non-suicidal self injury with four distinct criteria
S Deliberateness
S Tissue damage without intent to die
S Social unacceptability
S Typical repetitiveness

4. Also referred to as:
S Self injurious behavior
S Self harm
S Deliberate self harm
S Self cutting
S Non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI)
S Intentional injury

5. Common forms
S Ingesting poisons
S Scratching
S Squeezing
S Picking
S Interfering with wound healing
S Hair pulling
S Jumping from high
distances
S Cutting
S Burning
S Carving
S Breaking of bones
S Punching
S Needle sticking

6. What to look for
S Scars, such as from burns or cuts
S Fresh cuts, scratches or other wounds
S Bruises
S Broken bones
S Keeping sharp objects on hand
S Spending a great deal of time alone
S Embedded objects (like staples or tacks, not fashion jewelry)
S Wearing long sleeves or long pants in hot weather
S Claiming to have frequent accidents or mishaps
S Ingestion of strange chemicals or medications

7. Who
S Participate in other high risk behaviors.
S Previous mental health diagnosis.
S Cognitive and emotional problem solving
deficits.
S Childhood abuse or mistreatment.
S Lack of positive and supportive adults.
S Not a cry for attention.
S Not an attempt to fit in with a
group.
S S.A.F.E. Alternatives suggest that
a significant amount of their
admissions are adults and aging
Americans

8. Theory of Self Mutilation
S Affect Regulation Model
S Self mutilation is used to regulate feelings such as tension,
anxiety, anger at self or others, feelings of lacking an
identity, pain, and hostility.
S Most commonly endorsed by therapists

9. Self Mutilation as an Addiction
“Just as addicts self medicate to regulate
difficult affect states, self harm can be
understood as the attempt of desperate people
to interrupt or terminate intolerable affect states
or states of consciousness.”
Farber, 2007

10. Community Resources
S To Write Love on Her Arms
twloha.com
S Help Guide
Helpguide.org/self_injury.htm
S The Butterfly Project
recoveryourlife.com
S S.A.F.E. Alternatives 1-800-366-8288
S Door of Hope for Teens
doorofhope4teens.org call or text 615-
746-7319 or 914-393-1904
S Seeking Safety Manual
S Focus Adolescent Services
Focusas.com/selfinjury.html
S Equillibrium Selfharmony.co.uk
S National Self Harm Network
Nshn.co.uk
S Secret Shame
Palace.net/~llama/psych.injury.ht
ml
1-800-DON’T-CUT