A teenager that engages in self-injury may be experiencing difficulty expressing or coming to terms with his/her emotions. An impulsive nature also appears to accompany this struggle with emotion. Teen self-injurers tend to be aggressive and it has been observed that their disposition during the time of self-injury is usually an extreme form of a primary mood exhibited by the sufferer. The two basic emotions that have been found to exist at the moment of self-injury are feelings of anxiety and anger. These have also been observed as individual traits of the self-injurer. A teen self-injurer’s actions may be decided by his/her mood at that very moment, instead of thinking about consequences and aims in the future.
 

There are also other factors to note when recognizing a teen suffering from self-injury. Another point to consider is the simultaneous occurrence of other conditions or disorders. A teenager suffering from self-injury may also be suffering from depression or the eating disorder—bulimia. The co-diagnosis of these disorders is prevalent. The impulsive nature and feelings of anger and anxiety that are common to these disorders connect them with the nature of self-harm. Borderline personality disorder is yet another disorder which may be connected to self-harm. Those suffering from self-harm have the following in common with those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder: