Self Inflicted Injury

Description

Defined as a self inflicted injury. The most common injuries are: cutting, burning, picking, hair pulling, biting, hitting and bone breaking. The disorder is seen most often in the following groups: adolescent females, people with past abuse, those with substance abuse, people with poor coping skills, and those with poor social support. Self injury most often occurs when feelings overwhelm the patient and are an expression of relief.

Symptoms

Frequent cuts, unexplained burns, self-punching or scratching, needle sticking, head banging, eye pressing, finger or arm biting, pulling out one's hair, picking at one's skin.

Tests

A history and physical exam will be performed. Psychological evaluation will be conducted. Tests to rule out other ingestions or damage done by the behavior may be done.

Treatment

The specific self inflicted injury will be repaired. Treatment includes: antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, and/or cognitive behavioral therapy.

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