We all regularly take risks during our daily routines. But we all exercise caution to avoid hurting ourselves and others as we go about our usual tasks. So why would some people deliberately hurt themselves? What would prompt a young man to lacerate his own arm with a razor? Or a young woman to burn her legs with a cigarette?

An understanding of self harm behaviours is important for those who may be called upon for help. Otherwise, personal beliefs about its nature may get in the way of empathy.

Self harm presents a number of complex challenges for anyone whose life is affected by it. There are many forms of such behaviour; these include ritual self harm, unintentional self harm and deliberate self harm...

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