Self-injury is the act of deliberately destroying body tissue, at times to change a way of feeling. Self-injury is seen differently by groups and cultures within society.  The causes and severity of self-injury can vary. Some adolescents may self-mutilate to take risks, rebel, reject their parents' values, state their individuality or merely be accepted.  Others, however, may injure themselves out of desperation or anger to seek attention, to show their hopelessness, or because they have suicidal thoughts.  Some forms may include: carving, scratching, branding, marking, picking or pulling skin or hair, burning/abrasions, cutting, biting, head banging, bruising, hitting.