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. )

Example Sentences

Bullying, however, is toxic and can lead to emotional problems such as depression, anxiety and self-harm.

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Societal stress and other system shocks also can result in increased negative coping behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse, and self-harm.

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While we don’t know the cause of Naroditsky’s death, the context surrounding it has many speculating that it was the result of self-harm and suicide.

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According to Stanton, cyberbullying is associated with higher rates of self-harm than in-person bullying because it is not bound by a particular time or place.

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The company’s rules prohibit the promotion, glorification and encouragement of suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.

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