<unk>  is intentional behavior that is considered<unk> ful to oneself. This is most commonly regarded as direct injury of one's own skin tissues usually without a suicidal intention. Other terms such as cutting,<unk> -injury and<unk> -mutilation have been used for any<unk> ing behavior regardless of suicidal intent. The most common form of<unk>  is using a sharp object to cut the skin. Other forms include scratching, hitting, or burning body parts. While earlier usage included interfering with wound healing, excessive skin-picking, hair-pulling, and the ingestion of toxins, current usage distinguishes these behaviors from<unk> . Likewise, tissue damage from drug abuse or eating disorders is not considered<unk>  because it is ordinarily an unintended side-effect. Although<unk>  is by definition non-suicidal, it may still be life-threatening. People who do<unk>  are more likely to die by suicide, and<unk>  is found in 40–60% of suicides. Still, only a minority of<unk> ers are suicidal. The desire to<unk>  is a common symptom of some personality disorders. People with other mental disorders may also<unk> , including those with depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, dissociative disorders and gender dysphoria. Studies also provide strong support for a<unk> -punishment function, and modest evidence for anti dissociation, interpersonal-influence, anti-suicide, sensation-seeking, and interpersonal boundaries functions.<unk>  can also occur in high-functioning individuals who have no underlying mental health diagnosis. The motivations for<unk>  vary. Some use it as a coping mechanism to provide temporary relief of intense feelings such as anxiety, depression, stress, emotional numbness, or a sense of failure.<unk>  is often associated with a history of trauma, including emotional and sexual abuse. There are a number of different methods that can be used to treat<unk>  and which concentrate on either treating the underlying causes or on treating the behavior itself. Other approaches involve avoidance techniques, which focus on keeping the individual occupied with other activities, or replacing the act of<unk>  with safer methods that do not lead to permanent damage.<unk>  is most common between the ages of 12 and 24.<unk>  is more common in females than males with this risk being five times greater in the 12–15 age group.<unk>  in childhood is relatively rare but the rate has been increasing since the 1980s.<unk>  can also occur in the elderly population. The risk of serious injury and suicide is higher in older people who<unk> . Captive animals, such as birds and monkeys, are also known to participate in<unk> ing behavior.
Self-harm
Physical abuse
Bullying in medicine
Bullying and suicide
Copycat suicide
Bullying
Night terror
Assisted suicide