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Could it be considered self-harm when an 11-year-old child induces vomiting to avoid going to school?

Anna Sintes Estévez
Dr. Anna Sintes Estévez
Clinical Psychologist
Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona

No, self-harm is self-inflicted bodily injury, specifically damage to the body's surface. This usually includes cuts, burns, scratching that causes lesions, picking at scabs, or preventing wounds from healing, burns, bruises, etc. In the case presented, it is true that this behavior can be harmful to health and is carried out to avoid a feared or anxiety-provoking situation (and in this respect, it would be similar to non-suicidal self-harm), but it is not considered self-harm according to current definitions.

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Anna Sintes Estévez
Dr. Anna Sintes Estévez
Clinical Psychologist
Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona
Dr. Daniel Vega Moreno
Dr. Daniel Vega Moreno
Doctor of psychology
Consorci Sanitari de l'Anoia