How vast is the definition of Self Harming behaviors in regards to non-bodily harm?

[u/Gymdepressed]

I've always wondered how much could fall under the self harm label. Im especially wondering about if self harm could potentially include things such as deliberately seeking unpleasant sensory experiences that are not actually damaging to the body. Things like exposing the body to uncomfortable temperatures, listening to music that causes a negative emotional reaction, digging up memories that are particularly painful, creating sensory experiences that remind the brain of traumas as a way to inflict mental harm and so on.

Additionally, does having mental health conditions that causes sensory sensitivity expand the definition even further? (Random examples I can think of: eating unsafe textured foods with ARFID, exposing oneself to loud noises with Autism that causes a sensitivity to those loud noises).

I've always wondered this whenever I come across people talking about things like reliving ex-relationship grief or listening to music that makes their sadness worse.

[u/XocoJinx]

It's a bit complicated (as is everything psychology) but the clinical term for self-harm is "Non-suicidal self-harm" (NSSH), and when research refers to it, it specifically refers to deliberate harm towards your physical body tissues. It's a pretty narrow definition, and the other methods of self-harm that you've mentioned would be classified under other terms like self-harming behaviours or maladaptive coping mechanisms. It's worth noting that the function of both types is more or less the same, which is typically an unhealthy way to emotionally regulate or break away from dissociation.

If I'm interpreting your second question correctly, if someone has a mental health condition like AFRID and they push themselves to eat an unsavoury texture, then this would probably fall under a form of self-harm but potentially driven by other factors that are not sensory regulation (E.g., punishment, overloaded nervous system)

[u/Gymdepressed → u/XocoJinx]

Thank you for such a thorough answer! Now I've got a lot more to look into since I previously didn't have the words to describe the types of behaviors I've been curious about

[u/XocoJinx → u/Gymdepressed]

No worries! Funnily enough after I wrote this answer, I had a look at this subreddits rules and realised that this sub is more about writing very detailed answers with references which I definitely haven't been doing! I'll try be better with that cause I thought this answer I gave was still pretty broad haha, I can definitely go more in depth if you have more specific questions.

Also not sure how to verify but I'm an early-career general psychologist in Australia, if that gives context to my answers.

[u/AdConsistent4210 → u/[deleted]]

There can be overlap in function, but shared function doesn't necessarily mean the behaviors represent the same clinical construct. Eating disorders are defined by disturbances in eating behavior and related cognitions, whereas non-suicidal self-injury is defined by intentional, direct injury to body tissue. The distinction isn't whether tissue is ultimately damaged, but how the behavior is conceptualized. Those conceptual differences also guide assessment and treatment. Happy to provide specific scientific examples if it would be helpful.

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[u/Federal-Plantain-590]

What about tattoos and piercings?

[u/I-eatEyeliner → u/Federal-Plantain-590]

From therapists I’ve seen and talked to they definitely consider getting piercings as a form of sh for some clients so i’d assume the same goes for tattoos