Nonsuicidal Self injury in Adolescents

Nonsuicidal self injury (NSSI) is more common in adolescent and young adult populations than previously thought. Although it is important to assess the associated risk of suicidal behavior, NSSI is generally used to cope with distressing negative affective states, especially anger and depression, and mixed emotional states. Although previously believed to be a characteristic of severe psychopathology, it now appears that NSSI is associated with a wide variety of externalizing and internalizing conditions. Effective treatment is grounded in a collaborative understanding of the function of the NSSI for the adolescent. Affective, psychosocial, biological and cognitive factors are addressed through psychotherapeutic, psychopharmacological and skill-building strategies appropriate for each individual.