DSM Update: Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder, or a Clinical Specifier?

DSM Update: Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder, or a Clinical Specifier?

Author: Nicholas J. Westers Psy.D. ABPP August 29, 2025 Duration: 1:03:20
Drs. Greg Lengel, Maria Zetterqvist, Amy Brausch, and Jason Washburn explain why they now advocate for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm to be considered a clinical specifier rather than a disorder in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Dr. Nicholas Westers, a clinical psychologist and professor, hosts The Psychology of Self-Injury: Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health. This podcast moves beyond simple questions to explore the complex realities of self-injury, offering a space for nuanced conversation often missing from public discourse. Each episode is built on collaboration with the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury, ensuring the content is both credible and compassionate. You'll hear from leading researchers and clinicians who share the latest scientific understanding, but crucially, the series also centers voices with lived experience. These personal narratives provide essential context, helping to humanize the statistics and theories discussed. The dialogue tackles difficult topics, from the underlying psychological functions of self-harm to practical guidance on how to support someone who is struggling. It’s designed for anyone seeking a deeper, evidence-based comprehension-whether you're a mental health professional, an educator, a family member, or someone on a personal journey of understanding. By weaving together expert insight and personal story, this podcast fosters a more informed and empathetic perspective on a deeply misunderstood aspect of mental health.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 71

The Psychology of Self-Injury: Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health
Podcast Episodes
Social Media, Meta, & Self-Injury, with Lotte Rubæk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:21
Lotte Rubæk, MSc, from Denmark discusses the role of social media among individuals who self-injure as well as why she resigned from her role on Meta's (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) self-harm global expert panel.
Lived Experience: Allison's Story of Self-Injury & Scarring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:01
Allison from Washington state shares her story of lived experience of self-injury, scarring, and shame as well as how she makes sense of her self-harm scars in the context of her faith.