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Self-harming in depressed patients: pattern analysis
G Parker1, Gin Malhi, Philip Mitchell
1School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. g.parker@unsw.edu.au
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|September 20, 2005
Summary
Depression patients with a history of suicide attempts and externalizing behaviors, like acting out, are at higher risk for deliberate self-harm (DSH). This finding aids in identifying and managing at-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is frequently observed in individuals with depressive disorders.
- Understanding the determinants and correlates of DSH is crucial for effective clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the key factors associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH) in patients with depression.
- To determine the consistency of these factors across different patient samples.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of three independent samples of outpatients diagnosed with depression.
- Comparison between subjects who engaged in DSH and those who did not, matched for gender, age, and diagnosis.
- Exploration of sociodemographic variables, substance use, past trauma, suicide attempts, and personality functioning.
Main Results:
- Approximately 20% of the depressed patients reported engaging in DSH.
- Higher rates of DSH were observed in women and bipolar disorder patients.
- Multivariate analyses identified previous suicide attempts and high 'acting out' behaviors as consistent predictors of DSH, indicating externalizing responses to stress and poor impulse control.
Conclusions:
- Previous suicide attempts and externalizing behaviors are significant correlates of DSH in depressed patients.
- These findings can improve the identification and management strategies for depressed individuals at elevated risk of DSH.