Citation

Groschwitz RC, Plener PL. Suicidol. Online 2012; 3: 24-42.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, The author(s), Publisher Medical University of Vienna, Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a relevant clinical problem with high prevalence rates in adolescence. Despite the high numbers of individuals with NSSI, the neurobiological background is still poorly understood. This review aims to present an overview from different fields of neurobiological research. Results from neuroimaging studies, as well as from studies on neurotransmitters, point to an insufficient stress response. Analgesia and hypalgesia are often reported from individuals with repetitive NSSI, supporting neurobiological alterations. Therefore NSSI can be understood as a coping strategy that serves to down-regulate high experienced emotions.

Keywords: Non-suicidal Self-injury, NSSI, neuroimaging, neurobiology, analgesia

Copyrights belong to the Author(s). Suicidology Online (SOL) is a peer-reviewed open-access journal publishing under the Creative Commons License 3.0.

Language: en