Nonsuicidal Self-Injury among Youth

Abstract

Following the 2007 definitional consensus of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), there have been significant advances in our understanding of the behavior, particularly among children, adolescents, and young adults. 1 International Society for the Study of Self-injury. [homepage on the Internet]. http://www.isssweb.org. Accessed July 15, 2013. Google Scholar Given the tremendous growth of the field, in 2013 the American Psychiatric Association incorporated NSSI into their diagnostic manual as a disorder warranting further research. 2 American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association, Arlington (VA)2013 Crossref Google Scholar NSSI is defined as the deliberate immediate destruction of one's own body tissue (eg, self-cutting, bruising, burning) in the absence of conscious suicidal intent. This definition excludes socially accepted practices such as tattooing and body piercing. 1 International Society for the Study of Self-injury. [homepage on the Internet]. http://www.isssweb.org. Accessed July 15, 2013. Google Scholar Stereotypic and repetitive self-injurious behavior by youth with developmental disabilities and neuropsychiatric disorders as well as major forms of NSSI (eg, bone breaking, amputation) are subsumed under the broad umbrella of NSSI behaviors 3 Nock M.K. Favazza A.R. Nonsuicidal self-injury: definition and classification. in: Nock M.K. Understanding nonsuicidal self-injury: origins, assessment and treatment. American Psychological Association, Washington (DC)2009: 9-18 Crossref Google Scholar ; however, the current review focuses on NSSI that occurs in typically developing youth, which is consistent with current conceptualizations in the field. 3 Nock M.K. Favazza A.R. Nonsuicidal self-injury: definition and classification. in: Nock M.K. Understanding nonsuicidal self-injury: origins, assessment and treatment. American Psychological Association, Washington (DC)2009: 9-18 Crossref Google Scholar , 4 Klonsky E.D. Muehlenkamp J.J. Lewis S.P. Walsh B. Nonsuicidal self-injury. Hogrefe Publishers, Cambridge (MA)2011 Google Scholar , 5 Nixon M.K. Heath N.L. Self-injury in youth: the essential guide to assessment and intervention. Routledge, New York (NY)2008 Google Scholar