Self-injury is the deliberate, impulsive, non-lethal and repetitive hurting of oneself. A maladaptive coping mechanism, it is associated with a number of mental illnesses, including anxiety and posttraumatic distress disorder, and especially linked with depression and borderline personality, eating and substance use disorders. Warning signs …

Typically, your pediatrician already knows your child and family, sees numerous patients so he or she can recognize behavior that falls outside of the typical range, and can conduct medical tests to rule out non-psychiatric causes for symptoms that may indicate a mental health condition. …