Why Do People Self-Mutilate?

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

I'm a 13 year old boy who wants to become a child psychologist.  I go to a partial program at a hospital that I'd rather not name.  My question was to know why people self-mutilate themselves and they think during this?

ANSWER:

The most common reason is that it makes their pain stop temporarily.  The emotional pain is called dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair).  Some do it out of a nervous habit, like biting the nails or picking at the skin.  Sometimes the self-hate is so awful that they want to punish themselves.  Usually, though it's due to dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair).