My brother Mike* would frequently hit himself on the head and chest and sometimes be would bite his hand very hard.  It could be that he was frustrated but one time, a doctor suggested that Mike had a form of Tourette’s Syndrome. She thought that Mike’s behavior was merely a complex motor tick, the implication being, behavioral therapy would not help him. However, it seemed to me that Mike abused himself more when he didn’t get what he wanted.

Mike Sketch Project: Mike Biting Himself June 1990
Pencil and Charcoal Sketch
9″x12″ 60# Drawing Paper

* Mike is my older brother who is autistic, low functioning and nonverbal