Self-injury

[NFPgirl]

Is it a mortal sin to self-injure when it is not a penitential act (i.e. self-mortification via flagellation)?

I have heard varying opinions on this and would really like an answer with specific sources (CCC, Scripture, Early Fathers, Saints, papal letters or encyclicals, etc.). If one of the priests who reads these boards could chime in, that would be good too.

Thank you.

 

[rpp]

I presume you are not talking about something like reasonable cosmetic piercing.

Such an activity is usually a sign of a serious mental illness or emotional problems. Such a person requires treatment. A mentally ill person has limited culpability for sin. However, only God determine what the limits of that culpability really are.

Sin or not, a person engaging in this behavior needs immediate evaluation by a qualified mental health care provider.

 

[Robbinson]

I presume you are not talking about something like reasonable cosmetic piercing.

Such an activity is usually a sign of a serious mental illness or emotional problems. Such a person requires treatment. A mentally ill person has limited culpability for sin. However, only God determine what the limits of that culpability really are.

Sin or not, a person engaging in this behavior needs immediate evaluation by a qualified mental health care provider.

My daughter has this issue - it is a form of mental illness. Mortal sin requires “choice” (being cognizant of the behavior). I agree with the prior post, only God knows what is in our hearts.

My prayers go out to any other families dealing with this issue. What I am learning (present tense) is the best we can do is show support and love and pray, and work with the medical professionals in trying to address this problem which is much more prevalent in adolescents than I would have understood or believed.

Blessings,

Brian