self-mutilation

British  

noun

1. the act or an instance of mutilating oneself

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Example Sentences

Monkeys kept as pets and made to perform tricks suffer from psychological trauma that manifests in extreme aggression, repetitive movements, and self-mutilation, as well as physical damage that may be irreversible, she says.

From National Geographic • Nov. 9, 2023

In some cases anxious dogs may tremble, whine or pace around, as well as excessive salivation, self-mutilation, repetitive behaviour and vomiting.

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2021

Stimulating the globus pallidus has eased self-mutilation traits in individuals with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, for example.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 14, 2018

“The Mermaid” is no ordinary fantastical rom-com though, encompassing as it does weaponized sea urchins, incredibly delicious roasted chickens, man-octopus self-mutilation and other comic oddities.

From New York Times • Feb. 19, 2016

With the advent of Christianity, condemning as it did the barbarous customs of self-mutilation and self-murder, these practices seem to disappear gradually; but stoicism and indifference to pain were exhibited in martyrdom.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)