self-harm

noun

ˌself-ˈhärm 

: the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism

Although most cutters are young women who have been emotionally, sexually, or physically abused as children, [Marilee] Strong's research shows that this specific type of self-harm also appears in other groups.

—Maria Simson et al.

called also self-injury, self-mutilation

self-harm intransitive verb

self-harmed; self-harming; self-harms

teenagers who self-harm

Examples of self-harm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And most of all, don't be afraid to take care of you Where Shroeder's book gets the most raw and vulnerable is in talking about her mental health, her struggles with self-harm, postpartum depression and not feeling good enough as a person, a parent and a wife. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024

This may have led to some of the many incidents of self-harm or suicide among Korean performers. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 9 Sep. 2024

Her father called the police, who placed her on a psychiatric hold on account of her behavior and her statement threatening a risk of self-harm. —Meghan Mariani, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2024

Mood disorders, self-harm, and suicide have become more common among adolescents in recent years; article after article reports that social media is toxic for teen girls especially, eroding their self-esteem and leaving them disconnected. —Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

self-harm

noun

ˌself-ˈhärm 

: the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism