What is self-mutilation? Why does it happen?

Self-mutilation is a broad term for a "complex group of behaviors" resulting in destruction of one's own tissue. These behaviors, including scratching, burning or cutting the skin, pulling out hair, breaking bones, amputation , and eye enucleation, can have a likewise variable assortment of causes. In an attempt to understand the variability of these behaviors, Favazza and Roesnthal proposed what is now the commonly accepted method of classifying self-mutilation. There are three observable categories, based on the degree of harm, the rate, and the pattern of behavior. These are Major, Stereotypic, and Superficial.

Major self-mutilation is most frequently associated with severe psychological disorder. Stereotypic is the result of disease causing repetitive and usually unconscious injury. Superficial self-mutilation is an intentional act that one finds psychologically valuable. Frequently, this is associated with psychological disorder or trauma. People who perform superficial self-mutilation cut and burn themselves, excoriate wounds, and otherwise hurt their bodies as a means of experiencing relief from psychological crisis and stress, and often the damage is inflicted in the absence of pain. The intent of superficial self-mutilation is not to commit suicide, as most of the wounds are superficial and non-lethal.

In some cases of major self-mutilation, a schizophrenic or otherwise hallucinatory person will amputate his penis or otherwise damage her genitals for reasons relating to sexual guilt. Also, some superficial self-mutilators have claimed to receive sexual gratification from their wounds. However in most cases of self-mutilation, this is neither the purpose nor a result.

It is estimated that the incidence of self-mutilation is between 700-750 per 100,000 people in the population per year. Self-mutilation is prevalent among single Caucasian females, from their teens through their twenties. Eating disorders are strongly tied to superficial self-mutilation. Approximately 50% of people who practice superficial self-mutilation also suffer from anorexia, bulimia, or both disorders.