Shah, MansiNair, EishaMascione, Rebecca2025-03-272025-03-272023-12-18Tanguay, K., Chaturvedi, R., Hubbard, L., Nair, E., Mascione, R., & McElroy, B. (2023). Inside the Mind: A Glimpse into Sufferers of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury. Grey Matters, 6, 37-43.https://scholarshare.temple.edu/handle/20.500.12613/10991How would you describe self-injurious behavior? How seriously should self-injurious behaviors be taken? Is self-injury just a temporary means to escape from deeper emotional suffering? What is really happening in the minds of the sufferers of self-injury? Non-suicidal self-injury, clinically known as NSSI in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), is commonly associated with psychological and psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) [1]. This type of self-injury is the intentional harm or destruction of one’s body without suicidal intention (i.e. cutting the wrists, burning the skin, stabbing the skin, banging their head on a wall, etc.) [2]. Contrary to conventional belief, non-suicidal self-injury can occur without any pre-existing mental conditions [2]. Misinterpretations made by the public eye, like “It’s just a phase” or “They’re just doing it to get attention”, result in frequent misdiagnosis at a clinical level. For example, self-harm has previously been misidentified as teenage stress, misuse of alcohol, or just a symptom of another condition, resulting in a lack of treatment in developing young adults [3]. These widespread misconceptions surrounding NSSI can be extremely invalidating to those with the disorder, undermining the severity of this condition and creating harmful stereotypes about NSSI as well as the individuals who suffer from it [4]. In particular, in the United States alone, NSSI is prevalent in adolescents as early as 13 years old, and about 10% of teens and 35% of young adults have been clinically diagnosed with NSSI [4]. These rates of younger generations reporting NSSI make this a topic in need of emphasis before it develops into a more serious and threatening long-term consequence, such as suicidal behavior [2]. It is critical to recognize the importance of those diagnosed with nonsuicidal self-injury, to examine the differing factors of NSSI behavior, and to identify the proper approaches to intervention or recovery by exploring the neuroscience behind this psychological condition.10 pagesengAll Rights ReservedSelf-injurious behaviorSelf-injurious behavior--TreatmentText