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Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) disorder: a preliminary study
Edward A Selby1, Theodore W Bender, Kathryn H Gordon
1Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, USA.
Personality Disorders
|March 29, 2012
Summary
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) disorder shows distinct characteristics from borderline personality disorder (BPD), suggesting it may be a separate diagnostic entity. NSSI patients exhibit significant functional impairment and suicidality, similar to BPD.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) disorder is under consideration for DSM-5 inclusion.
- Concerns exist that NSSI may be a symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine NSSI disorder characteristics.
- To compare NSSI disorder with BPD and other DSM Axis I diagnoses.
- To determine if NSSI is a distinct diagnostic entity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of chart data from 571 treatment-seeking patients.
- Classification into three groups: NSSI without BPD, BPD (with/without NSSI), and comparison.
- Comparison of groups on intake functioning, psychopathology, and diagnostic co-occurrence.
Main Results:
- Significant group differences in diagnostic co-occurrence, patient history, and intake impairment.
- NSSI group showed functional impairment and suicidality levels comparable to the BPD group.
- Most NSSI patients did not have subthreshold BPD symptoms.
Conclusions:
- NSSI disorder may be a valid diagnostic entity separate from BPD.
- Potential NSSI disorder is associated with high depression, anxiety, suicidality, and low functioning.
- Findings aid in differentiating NSSI disorder from BPD and other Axis I diagnoses.
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