The present study aimed to investigate the lived experience of self-injurious behaviors among adolescent female students aged 13 to 18 years in Khorramabad, Iran. Employing a qualitative approach and Colaizzi’s phenomenological method, the study described and interpreted participants’ lived experiences. The study population consisted of female students with a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in 2025 (1404 in the Iranian calendar). Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 participants until saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using a six-stage thematic analysis process, resulting in the identification of 157 basic themes, 53 organizing themes, and six overarching themes. The overarching themes were: emotional distress and negative self-appraisal; self-injury as an emotion regulation and control strategy; self-injury as punishment, habit, or a communicative message; interpersonal, familial, and sociocultural contexts; situational pressures and difficulties in coping; and traumatic experiences and the need for support. The findings indicated that self-injurious behavior functions as a maladaptive mechanism for managing negative emotions and achieving temporary relief, but is accompanied by feelings of shame, concealment, and exacerbation of difficulties. The study further demonstrated that self-injury should not be understood merely as a “behavior,” but rather as an “experienced process” embedded within contexts of pressure, distress, relationships, meaning, and the need for support. Based on the findings, recommendations include strengthening coping-skills training, developing supportive infrastructures, implementing psychological interventions, mitigating the negative effects of social media, and reducing the social stigma associated with self-injurious behaviors.