Can Self-Injurious Behavior Extend Beyond Physical Harm?

[KLscilevothma]

Self-injurious Bahavior (SIB) is usually referring to the actions of hurting oneself physically, like cutting or burning, if I'm not mistaken. Sometimes, I wonder if a person pushes him/herself very harshly mentally, which in turn leads to physical illnesses, is regarded to have SIB. For example, a person called Abc, who knows he'll have serious headache if does not get enough sleep for a week. One day, he failed to achieve a goal due to laziness, he then forbade himself from having enough sleep for a week to do whatever he should have done to achieve the goal and got a serious headache in the end. Does Abc have SIB ?

Is it true that behaviors like using your fist to hit on the wall hard, shouting as loudly as you can are considered as SIB since hitting on the wall may hurt your joints and shouting may hurt your voice. Also, can we say that nearly everyone has or tends to have SIB but the degree of severity varies?

My last question is do animals, other than humans, have SIB ?

 

[hypnagogue]

Interesting questions, most of which I'm not qualified to answer. I do know that certain parrots/parakeets self-mutilate because of mental trauma (such as losing a companion bird-- they are very affectionate) by plucking out their feathers and such. I'm sure other animals exhibit such behaviors, especially the more intelligent/emotional ones.

 

[R0man]

Self-injurious behavior, as you mentioned, typically refers to physical acts of self-harm such as cutting or burning. However, it can also include self-destructive behaviors that are not as obviously harmful, such as excessive substance use or risky behaviors. In the case of Abc, his actions could be seen as a form of self-injury if he is knowingly causing harm to himself, even if it is not physical. It is important to note that self-injury can be a symptom of underlying mental health issues, and seeking professional help is recommended in these cases.

Regarding behaviors like hitting a wall or shouting, it is possible that these could be considered self-injury if they are causing harm to oneself. However, it is important to distinguish between intentional self-harm and behaviors that may be a result of frustration or anger. It is also worth considering the intention behind these actions - are they a way to cope with difficult emotions or are they a form of self-punishment? Again, seeking professional help can provide a better understanding of the underlying reasons for these behaviors.

As for the question about animals, it is difficult to determine if they engage in self-injury as they cannot communicate their thoughts and feelings like humans can. However, there have been some studies that suggest certain animals may engage in self-directed behaviors that could be seen as self-injury, such as excessive grooming or biting. Further research is needed in this area to fully understand if animals experience self-injury in the same way humans do.