Physical pain releases the endorphin dopamine within the brain. Once deliberate injury and relief have become associated, it can be difficult for those who self-harm to stop. Using the addiction model, self-harm function similarly to the negative reinforcement in that it masks emotional pain. 

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- Conditions that cause fluctuations in emotion, like depression and anxiety, can lead sufferers to search for release. 
- Those who self-harm have reported that while they do not want to do it, it is accessible and provides some measure of relief. 
- Shame, low self-esteem, and other sources of emotional pain can lead to the desire to inflict personal harm.
- Some may use self-harm to communicate the severity of their pain and express a need for help

Reasons and Causes for Self-Harm

Woodley, S., Hodge, S., Jones, K., & Holding, A. (2020). How Individuals Who Self-Harm Manage Their Own Risk—‘I Cope Because I Self-Harm, and I Can Cope with my Self-Harm’. Psychological Reports. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294120945178

How individuals who self-harm manage their own risk—‘I cope because I self-harm, and I can cope with my self-harm’

Addiction Model of Self-Harm

Higher psychological and physical abuse during confinement due to COVID-19 isolation have resulted in increased self-harm and suicidal ideation in people in the UK. This study surveyed people in the UK (n=44775) and observed higher thoughts of suicide and self-harm in women, black, asian and minority ethnic groups, people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages. 9% of participants in this study reported experiencing physical or psychological abuse, and 18% reported experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

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