For example, cutting your arm or hitting yourself with a hammer are clearly self-injurious acts. Things like overeating, smoking, not exercising, etc., are harmful to a person in the long run but immediate physical damage is not the desired effect of the behaviors. Rituals are distinguished from practices in that they reflect community tradition, usually have deep underlying symbolism, and represent a way for an individual to connect to the community. Practices, on the other hand, have little underlying meaning to the practitioners and are sometimes fads. Otherwise, it is an indirect method of harm.
Lethality refers to the likelihood of death resulting from the act in the immediate or near future.
A lethal act is one that is highly likely to result in death, and death is usually the intent of the person doing it. Repetition refers to whether of not the act is done only once or is repeated frequently over a period of time It is defined simply by whether or not the act is done repeatedly. Acts that are committed with conscious suicidal intent or are associated with sexual arousal are excluded. A feeling of overwhelming tension and isolation deriving from fear of abandonment, self-hatred, and apprehension about being unable to control one's own aggression seems to take hold. The anxiety increases and culminates in a sense of unreality and emptiness that produces an emotional numbness or depersonalization.