MALADAPTIVE DISORDERS NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR Introduction Causes and Risk Factors Associated Psychopathology Familial and Biological Causes Assessment Treatment Promising Treatment Approaches Pharmacological Treatment Hospitalization Recommended Elements of Treatment Cultural Considerations

Introduction Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior (NSIB) is defined as “deliberate, direct destruction or alteration of body tissue, without conscious suicidal intent but resulting in injury severe enough for tissue damage to occur” (Gratz, 2003). NSIB has many names, including self-injury, self-harm, deliberate self-harm, parasuicide, and self-mutilation. NSIB poses a dire risk for adolescents because of its link to suicide, which ranks as the third most common cause of death among adolescents (Miller, Rathus & Linehan, 2007). The information contained in this section addresses self-injurious behavior without the intent to die. For additional information on self-inflicted injury which accompanies a specific intent to die, see the “Youth Suicide” section of the Collection.