self-harm

[self-hahrm]

noun

1. Formerly self-mutilation. Also called self-injury. deliberate nonsuicidal injury to one’s own body tissue, as cutting or burning the skin, or pulling out hair, in a physical manifestation of emotional distress.

   Self-harm, eating disorders, and substance abuse were reported among victims of bullying.

verb (used without object)

1. to hurt oneself deliberately, without suicidal intention, as a physical manifestation of emotional distress.

   I self-harm to release the anxiety, but then I feel so much shame that I have to self-harm again to relieve that.

self-harm

noun

1. the practice of cutting or otherwise wounding oneself, usually considered as indicating psychological disturbance

Other Word Forms

• self-harming noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-harm¹

First recorded in 1610–20 self-harm for def. 1 and in 1940–45 self-harm for def. 2; self- ( def. ) + harm ( def. )