الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
While there remains a dearth of research on this subject there is emerging evidence to suggest that self-mutilation is increasing amongst clinical and non-clinical populations. As in the past two decades self-mutilation has increased dramatically and more attention has been drawn to the issue of self-mutilation, so there has been extensive research conducted on the behavior, as well as what therapists and other professionals can do to help. Self-mutilation is more common in adolescents and young adults than society believes because acts of self-mutilation are often underreported or misdiagnosed. Self-mutilative behaviors are often seen merely as a symptom of other disorders rather than a diagnostic disorder in itself. Due to their complexity, self-mutilation is not completely understood. The most widely accepted definition of self-mutilation: ”the deliberate, direct destruction or alteration of body tissue without conscious suicidal intent, but resulting in injury severe enough for tissue damage (e.g., scarring) to occur.”
Self-mutilation may present in one of the following forms (major _ stereotypic _ Superficial or moderate). Serotonin system, opiate system and dopamine system involved in the neurobiological theory of self-mutilation. Self-mutilation may serve many purposes e.g. affect regulation, self-medication, coping mechanism, religious and societal beliefs, or as symbolism. There are some precursors that trigger self-mutilation e.g. childhood abuse either sexual or physical, childhood separation, neglect or specific individual risk factors. There are old literatures support that self-mutilation is commonly associated with psychiatric disorders e.g. border line personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorders, dissociative disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders and impulse-control disorders. And so beside the usual management of the self-mutilation, the management of associated psychiatric disorder should be done.Most literatures confirm that self-mutilation significantly associated with increased suicidality. The importance of co-morbidity in self-mutilation is apparent from study by Foster in which it increased the risk of suicide over six-fold compared with the risk in individuals with psychiatric disorders alone.