Caring for adults who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury

摘要

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the direct and deliberate destruction of body tissue without intent to die.1 Cutting is the most common form of NSSI; other methods include burning, scraping/ scratching skin, interfering with wound healing, hitting, biting, self-poisoning, and purposeful non-recreational risk-taking.2,3 Although most individuals who engage in NSSI have no intention to die, suicidal ideation often precedes the initial engagement in NSSI,4 and a history of repeated NSSI is a risk factor for suicide attempts.4 In a systematic review, Cipriano et al5 found that NSSI is most common among adolescents and young adults, with onset most often occurring between age 12 and 14. Prevalence rates of NSSI are 7.5% to 46.5% in adolescents, 38.9% in university students, and 4% to 23% in adults.