Deliberate self-harm: A perspective

Abstract

Recent years have seen an alarming increase in the incidence of deliberate self-harm (DSH). It has come to be a significant health issue and a pressing problem faced by clinicians in emergency settings as well as psychiatrists. However, it is often very difficult to ascertain the pathology underlying such behavior, thereby making it difficult to manage it. It significantly burdens an already ailing healthcare system as a large number of individuals try it at least once in their life, and a significant percentage of these are found to repeatedly engage in such behavior. A better understanding of DSH is essential for effective management of this behavior.

Keywords

• deliberate self-harm
• para-suicide
• psychiatry