Here are some examples.

Mark made himself a sandwich. Vicky had to force herself to eat.

We've locked ourselves out. The children watched themselves on video.

  • We cannot use me, you, him, etc to refer to the subject. Compare these sentences.

    When the policeman came in, the gunman shot him. (him = the policeman)

    When the policeman came in, the gunman shot himself, (himself = the gunman)

  • We can use a reflexive pronoun after a preposition.

    The children are old enough to look after themselves.

    But after a preposition of place, we can use me, you, him, etc.

    In the mirror I saw a lorry behind me. Mike didn't have any money with him.

    Laura thought she recognized the woman standing next to her.