Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) and NSSI Disorder: Perspectives of Psychologists and Psychiatrists

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder (NSSI-D) was proposed as a condition for further study in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition; DSM-5). No research has examined the attitudes of professionals who could confer a diagnosis of NSSI-D towards individuals who self-injure. A sample of 127 North American psychologists and psychiatrists (diagnosing professionals; DPs) were surveyed about self-injury and NSSI-D related attitudes. DPs reportedly value NSSI as an important healthcare issue, hold positive attitudes towards these clients, and do not see self-injury as a manipulative or attention-seeking. DPs presented some misconceptions about the relation between NSSI, Borderline Personality Disorder and suicidality. As currently presented, DPs express some resistance to the inclusion of NSSI-D in an upcoming DSM, and diagnostic labeling could have both a positive and negative impact on DPs’ attitudes towards clients meeting criteria for NSSI-D. Future research prospects and implications for clients and diagnosing professionals are discussed.