Self-harm (also termed non-suicidal self-injury, NSSI) refers to the deliberate, direct damage to body tissue without suicidal intent. The most common forms include cutting, burning, hitting, scratching, or hair-pulling. It functions primarily as an emotional regulation strategy — providing a rapid but temporary reduction in overwhelming emotional pain, dissociation, numbness, or self-punishing feelings.

What lifestyle changes can help with self harm?

Building alternative coping strategies — distress tolerance skills from DBT (TIPP, ACCEPTS, self-soothe), physical activity, cold water exposure, art, music — provides alternatives to self-harm. Social support and trusted relationships are protective. Safety planning — identifying triggers, warning signs, and crisis contacts — reduces impulsive acts during peak distress. Reducing access to means (restricting sharp objects during high-risk periods) is a harm-reduction strategy. Self-compassion practices counteract the self-punishment function of self-harm.

What integrative approaches support self harm?

DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy) has the strongest evidence base for NSSI, particularly in BPD, targeting the emotional regulation deficits underlying self-harm behaviour. CBT, mentalisation-based therapy (MBT), and compassion-focused therapy also have evidence. NICE guidelines recommend individual psychological therapy (minimum 3 months) as first-line. Safe messaging guidelines apply to clinical and public communication about self-harm. Physical wound care is an important component of acute management alongside psychological support.

When should I seek professional support for self harm?

Anyone experiencing self-harm should be encouraged to seek support without shame. doctor, mental health services, crisis lines, and emergency departments are all appropriate depending on urgency. If wounds require medical attention, A&E attendance is appropriate and will include mental health assessment. Suicidal ideation should always be assessed alongside self-harm.

emotionalComplementaryHolistic

Self Harm

Deliberate injury to one's own body — most commonly cutting, burning, or hitting — used as a coping mechanism for intense emotional distress, not necessarily with suicidal intent.

Understand what may be causing this

Reviewed by Internal Medical Editorial Team · Integrative Health Content Review26 March 2026High Evidence

Quick answer

Self-harm describes the deliberate, direct injuring of one's own body, most commonly as a means of coping with overwhelming emotional distress. ICD-10: X78–X84 (intentional self-harm), T14.91 (non-suicidal self-injury); ICD-11: MB26.A. Requires compassionate clinical attention and safety assessment.

Recognition

Do any of these feel familiar?

Cutting, burning, or hitting the body to achieve temporary relief from overwhelming emotional distress; concealing wounds; feeling shame about the behaviour alongside the compulsive urge to repeat it.

What is Self Harm?

Deliberate injury to one's own body — most commonly cutting, burning, or hitting — used as a coping mechanism for intense emotional distress, not necessarily with suicidal intent.

Approaches Commonly Explored

Commonly explored for conditions related to Self Harm, grouped by mechanism — select your subtype above to highlight the most relevant path.

Integrates across:ComplementaryMetaphysical

How to use these approaches

🛡 Stabilise— Immediate relief

⚖️ Regulate— System balancing

🌱 Resolve— Root cause

✦ Sustain— Long-term

Most people begin with Stabilise approaches, then progress toward Resolve and Sustain.

Psychological Mechanism

Cognitive patterns, emotional processing, and stress response.

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Self-care

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Self Harm

Do any of these feel familiar?

Approaches Commonly Explored

Psychotherapy

Psychoanalytic Therapy

Polyvagal-Informed Therapy

Shadow Work

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What You Can Do Now

This symptom is often connected to

Borderline personality disorder

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About Self Harm

Integrative Approaches & Evidence

When to Seek Support

Frequently Asked Questions

References