Self-harm, also known as self-mutilation, is the act of intentionally inflicting damage to the body, but without the purpose of committing suicide. Self-harm could include burning, cutting, destructive use of drugs and alcohol, or participating in unsafe sex. When someone inflicts pain on themselves, it provides a temporarily release from suppressed feelings of anxiety, shame or guilt. Unfortunately, these unprocessed emotions will continue to compound until the root of the problem is uncovered and learning new healthy coping skills. Teenagers and young adults are the biggest group to engage in self-harming behaviors. Even though adolescent girls tend to self-mutilate at an earlier age, teenage boys have the highest incidence in non-suicidal self-injury cases.