self-harm

[self-hahrm]

noun

1. Formerly self-mutilation. Also called self-injury. deliberate nonsuicidal injury to one’s own body tissue, as cutting or burning the skin, or pulling out hair, in a physical manifestation of emotional distress.

   Self-harm, eating disorders, and substance abuse were reported among victims of bullying.

verb (used without object)

1. to hurt oneself deliberately, without suicidal intention, as a physical manifestation of emotional distress.

   I self-harm to release the anxiety, but then I feel so much shame that I have to self-harm again to relieve that.

self-harm

noun

1. the practice of cutting or otherwise wounding oneself, usually considered as indicating psychological disturbance

Other Word Forms

• self-harming noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-harm¹

First recorded in 1610–20 self-harm for def. 1 and in 1940–45 self-harm for def. 2; self- ( def. ) + harm ( def. )

Example Sentences

The trial heard that while Mr Pugh did have a history of self-harm and attempts to take his own life, he had sent messages to his girlfriend, his father and his friends on the evening of the attack making plans to see them that night.

From BBC

"We built protections for teens into our AI products from the start, including designing them to respond safely to prompts about self-harm, suicide, and disordered eating," a Meta spokesperson said.

From BBC

The lawsuit says OpenAI should take steps such as mandatory age verification for ChatGPT users, parental consent and control for minor users, and automatically end conversations when suicide or self-harm methods are discussed.

From Los Angeles Times

The company said it doesn’t refer self-harm cases to law enforcement to respect user privacy.

From Los Angeles Times

Senate Bill 243, which cleared the Senate in June and is in the Assembly, would require “companion chatbot platforms” to implement a protocol for addressing suicidal ideation, suicide or self-harm expressed by users.

From Los Angeles Times