self-inflicted
Done to oneself
Self-inflicted describes harm, injury, or damage that a person causes to themselves rather than receiving from an external source.
The term most often appears in medical or legal contexts regarding wounds: The coroner ruled the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
It extends naturally to non-physical damage as well—a self-inflicted crisis or self-inflicted problem is one that someone brought upon themselves through their own choices or actions.
The word carries an implicit judgment that the suffering was avoidable.
Dividing via sharp edge
- burningCombustion in progress
- scratchingRaking with nails
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
- scarificationIntentional shallow skin cuts
trichotillomania · bingeing · purging · starvation · recklessness · masochism · addiction · suicide
Done by choice
- chosenSelected from alternatives
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
- avoidableCapable of being prevented
- preventableCapable of being stopped
isolation · pressure · stress · hardship · suffering · exile
Guilt for wrongdoing
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- regretSorrow over past actions
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
pangs · scruples · rumination
Coiled, or an injury
- cutSeverance or reduction
- burnDamage by heat
- bruiseDiscolored tissue injury
- lacerationTorn, ragged wound
gash · scar · abrasion · puncture · scratch · lesion · contusion · fracture
Habitual task avoidance
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- perfectionismCompulsive pursuit of flawlessness
- imposter syndromeBelief you're secretly unqualified
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- scourgingWhipping as punishment
- chastisementFormal scolding or correction
fasting · discipline · suffering · expiation · contrition · repentance · hair shirt · flagellation
cutting
Dividing via sharp edge
- burningCombustion in progress
- scratchingRaking with nails
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
scarification · trichotillomania · bingeing · purging · starvation · recklessness · masochism · addiction · suicide · suicidal
voluntary
Done by choice
- chosenSelected from alternatives
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
- avoidableCapable of being prevented
preventable · isolation · pressure · stress · hardship · suffering · exile
remorse
Guilt for wrongdoing
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- regretSorrow over past actions
- conscienceInternal moral sense
compunction · pangs · scruples · rumination
wound
Coiled, or an injury
laceration · gash · scar · abrasion · puncture · scratch · lesion · contusion · fracture · sprain
procrastination
Habitual task avoidance
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- perfectionismCompulsive pursuit of flawlessness
penance
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- scourgingWhipping as punishment
chastisement · fasting · discipline · suffering · expiation · contrition · repentance · hair shirt · flagellation
- death causescause of death, natural causes, manner of death, accidental death, natural death
- suicide preventionsuicide, prevention, crisis, hotlines, helplines
self, inflict, selfhood, infliction, inflicted, self-harm, self-abuse