Non-Suicidal Self Injury: Indian Perspective

Self-injurious behavior or deliberate self-harm (DSH) in adolescents and young adults is an area of growing concern. Reports from clinics and emergency rooms are pointing to the increase in incidence. However, there are very few studies from India. Many of the people presenting with acts of self-harm do not have suicidal intent, and this has prompted the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)[1] to propose a category of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) as a “Condition for Further Study” to encourage further research in this area. DSM-5 Proposed Criteria for NSSI requires an individual to engage in intentional self-inflicted damage to the surface of his/her body, on 5 or more days in the last 1 year, with the expectation that the injury will lead to only mild or moderate physical harm. NSSI is defined as ‘intentional destruction of one’s body tissue without suicidal intent’.