self-harm

/ˌself-ˈhärm/

noun

  1. the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism —called also self-injury, self-mutilation

Although most cutters are young women who have been emotionally, sexually, or physically abused as children, [Marilee] Strong's research shows that this specific type of self-harm also appears in other groups.