SINCE 1828
self-harm
noun
\ ˌself-ˈhärm
\
\
Definition of self-harm
: 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-multilation
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