Treatment Study for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Inclusion criteria

• At least 18 years old
• Engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to reduce or lessen negative thoughts or feelings
• Not taking psychotropic medications, or meet criteria for stability on a particular dose and are willing to maintain a stable dosage throughout the study
• Meet the proposed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) criteria for NSSI disorder, which includes:

• five or more days in which the individual has engaged in NSSI in the past year
• NSSI is associated with at least two two of the following: psychological precipitant (e.g., negative feelings or thoughts), urge prior to the act, preoccupation with NSSI, contingent response (e.g., expectation that the act will relieve a negative feeling state)
• clinically significant distress or interference caused by NSSI or its consequences
• NSSI does not occur exclusively during states of psychosis, delirium, or intoxication
• absence of suicidal intent

Exclusion criteria

• Current suicidal ideation and intent
• Currently receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or any psychotherapy to address NSSI, anxiety, depression, or other Axis I disorders (and are not willing to discontinue that treatment)
• Unwilling to refrain from initiating additional treatment during the course of the study
• Current or very recent symptoms that warrant immediate clinical attention, alternative treatment, and/or a higher level of care that cannot be provided through the study (e.g., florid delusions or hallucinations, rapid mood state, severe manic symptoms)
• Current or recent (within 3 months) history of substance use disorder (exception would be marijuana, caffeine, nicotine)
• Emotional symptomatology is due to a medical/physical condition