self-harmers
Those who wound
Self-harmers are people who deliberately injure themselves, typically by cutting, burning, or other methods that damage the body.
The term usually refers to those who harm themselves as a way of coping with emotional pain rather than as a suicide attempt: Support groups for self-harmers emphasize that recovery is possible.
The behavior often stems from trauma, anxiety, or difficulty processing intense emotions.
Lasting psychological wound
- depressionProlonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
- borderlineEdge of acceptability
suicidality · impulsivity · psychiatric · comorbidity · numbness · shame · triggers · urges
Dividing via sharp edge
- burningCombustion in progress
- scratchingRaking with nails
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- hittingMaking forceful contact
biting · punching · bruising · scarring · overdosing · hair-pulling · interfering · embedding
One still alive after
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- scarsHealed wound tissue
- visibilityRange of clear sight
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
shame · secrecy · hiding · concealment · explanation · judgment · misunderstanding · stereotype
Curative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- DBTTherapy for emotional regulation
- CBTPsychological treatment abbreviation
- treatmentCare for an ailment
hospitalization · alternatives · psychiatrist · outpatient · inpatient · aftercare · grounding
Confirming truth or accuracy
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- listeningAttending to sound
- helplinePhone service for assistance
family · friends · community · advocacy · awareness · disclosure · trust · boundaries
trauma
Lasting psychological wound
- depressionProlonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
borderline · suicidality · impulsivity · psychiatric · comorbidity · numbness · shame · triggers · urges · ideation
cutting
Dividing via sharp edge
- burningCombustion in progress
- scratchingRaking with nails
- carvingShaping by cutting away
hitting · biting · punching · bruising · scarring · overdosing · hair-pulling · interfering · embedding · restricting
survivor
One still alive after
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- scarsHealed wound tissue
- visibilityRange of clear sight
storytelling · shame · secrecy · hiding · concealment · explanation · judgment · misunderstanding · stereotype · youth
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- DBTTherapy for emotional regulation
- CBTPsychological treatment abbreviation
treatment · hospitalization · alternatives · psychiatrist · outpatient · inpatient · aftercare · grounding
validation
Confirming truth or accuracy
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- listeningAttending to sound
helpline · family · friends · community · advocacy · awareness · disclosure · trust · boundaries · check-ins
self-harmersabusers
Those who harm others
assailants · attackers · perpetrators · batterers · aggressors
self, harm, harmer, harms, harmed, harming, harmful, harmfully, harmfulness