The Practice of Nonsuicidal Self-injury in Adolescents-Part 1

The practice of nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents-cutting, burning, self-hitting or banging, scratching, interfering with wound healing-may be increasing. Studies have found that approximately 15% of high schoolers and 17% of college students engage in self-injury. Among adolescent inpatients, estimates run as high as 40% to 60%.

We’ve invited Brian Smith, MD to talk about nonsuicidal self-injury, and in 3 short podcasts, he discusses the how’s, the why’s-and treatment options. Here, Dr Smith discusses the various forms of self-injury, prevalence, causes, risk factors, and gender differences. Dr Smith is assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the Michigan State University in East Lansing.

The practice of nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents-Part 1