Why isn't Self Harm considered a Disorder?



This is a good question, and one that I am sure would have crossed many peoples minds in the past.

Self Harm is, as I define it "The act of doing something knowingly harmful to oneself for a reason". The reasons, causes, effects, methods, symptoms and underlying factors behind any persons Self Injurious Behavior are practically limitless in number. Self Harm is the effect that comes from a certain mental state - and is not normally seen as directly the cause of one. Thus Self Harm is seen as the symptom of either a recognised medical disorder, or one of the other four 'facets' of Self Harm (family unit, communication, self esteem and trauma/stress - most likely some of these to differing extents) not an actual disorder itself.


However there is one slight spanner in the works. I mentioned above that Self Harm cannot directly be the cause of a mental state (other than a 'positive' one, the whole reason someone would do it of course) - however it most certainly can indirectly be the cause, or at least the fuel that can lead to negative mental states, or even medical disorders down the line if left 'untreated'.

Self Injury, be it cutting or burning however releases Endorphins, as do some other forms of Self Harm such as drug taking or the over-exercising portion of eating disorders. Endorphins are widely known and accepted to be addictive. And addiction is commonly known as a form of neurological disorder. Hence it could be said that Self Harm does, indirectly create a disorder if it continues over a period of time. Added to that is the basic fact that while Self Harm is 'affective' in the short term at producing the desired affect - after the act, when the endorphins have subsided, the pain and guilt and loss of self esteem, combined with the furthering of yourself from those around you means in the medium/long terms Self Harm is always setting you up to fail. Therefore possible disorders that might have lain dormant, such as depression might well be worsened over time by the mirage Self Harm portrays. Use of drugs can most certainly also lead to other neurological disorders - and Eating disorders can lead to physiological disorders as well as mental disorders.


In conclusion - Self Harm is the effect of the cause. The symptoms of problems already present - be they recognised disorders, or non clinical depression, hopelessness or sadness, which could be caused by any number of factors. While it can lead or worsen other disorders of various kinds - Self Harm / Self injury is not, specifically a disorder in it's own right.



Harley