Citation

Vartic M, Aniţan. Rom. J. Leg. Med. 2005; 13(1): 65-69.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Romanian Legal Medicine Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Self-mutilation is the act of attempting to alter a mood state by inflicting physical harm serious enough to cause tissue damage to one's body. Still, society accepts some forms of body alteration as normal. It's not self-mutilation if the primary purpose is: body decoration (e.g., body piercing, tattooing) or fitting in or being cool. Self-mutilation also differs from suicide attempt, because it is a way to stay alive. Self-mutilation has been categorized into three observable categories based upon the degree of harm and the pattern of behavior. These are Major, Stereotypic, and Superficial Self-mutilation. Major self-mutilation refers to acts that severely damage a significant amount of body tissue such as eye enucleation, amputation of the limbs, or genitals. Stereotypic self-mutilation involves repetitive acts, the most common form being head-banging. Superficial self-mutilation is the most common type observed. This behavior can manifest itself in three forms: compulsive, episodic and repetitive. Most common behaviors in superficial self-mutilation are: cutting, burning, hair pulling, needle sticking and bone breaking. There are several theories as to why people indulge in self-mutilation. In particular, certain forms of self-injury may prompt the release of a biochemical called beta-endorphin, the body's natural opiate. Beta-endorphin binds to the same receptors in the brain as heroin and morphine. © 2005 Romanian Society of Legal Medicine.

Language: romanian

Keywords

Motivation; human; burn; suicide attempt; Classification; article; differential diagnosis; clinical feature; automutilation; morphine; diamorphine; Definition; compulsion; psychological theory; Self-mutilation; beta endorphin; enucleation; stereotypy; tattooing; trichotillomania