Axis I comorbidity and psychopathologic correlates of autodestructive syndromes

Nonsuicidal deliberate self-harm and factitious disorders have been proposed as subtypes within the autodestructive behavior spectrum, basically differing in the issue of concealment. Aims are to determine Axis I diagnoses and psychopathologic correlates of open self-harmers and patients diagnosed with factitious disorders.

One hundred ninety-four psychosomatic medicine inpatients participated. Assessment included the structured World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (computerized version) and self-report questionnaires for anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and personal coping resources.

Thirty-seven patients identified with self-destructive behavior were matched with 37 patients without such behavior. Overt self-harmers (n = 18) were more frequently diagnosed with anxiety, depressive, substance abuse/dependence, or eating disorders and reported more stress than factitious disorder patients (n = 19) or those without self-destructive behavior. Patients with factitious disorder exhibited lower Axis I comorbidity and less psychopathology than patients without self-harm behavior.

Regarding psychopathologic assessment, contrary to open self-harmers, factitious disorder patients appear strikingly inconspicuous.