Self-embedding, the evolution of self-mutilation

What will they think of next?

In a disturbing trend, teens are taking to “self-embedding,” a new form of mutilation. The practice takes self-cutting one step further, by literally embedding an object inside the wound.

The practice has an addictive tendency, and “unlike cutting, which causes pain and then the pain subsides with healing, embedding causes constant and increasing pain.”

There is an association with suicidal ideation, and although it is not listed as an actual DSM disorder, there are those lobbying for self-embedding to be a distinct clinical disease.

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