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Female habitual self-mutilators
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri-Columbia.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|March 1, 1989
Summary
This study examines 240 female habitual self-mutilators, finding impulsive skin cutting offers temporary symptom relief. Many subjects also have eating disorders and unsatisfactory treatment histories, with some attempting suicide.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Self-mutilation is a complex behavior often associated with significant distress.
- Understanding the characteristics of habitual self-mutilators is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of a cohort of female habitual self-mutilators.
- To explore the methods, triggers, and consequences of self-mutilative behavior in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data analysis of 240 female patients with a history of habitual self-mutilation.
- Characterization of typical patient demographics, age of onset, methods of self-harm, and frequency of occurrence.
Main Results:
- The typical subject is a 28-year-old Caucasian female with onset at age 14, primarily engaging in skin cutting.
- Self-mutilation is impulsive, providing temporary relief from racing thoughts, depersonalization, and anxiety.
- Comorbidities include eating disorders and potential alcohol use concerns, with extensive but unsatisfactory use of health services.
Conclusions:
- Habitual self-mutilation in females is a persistent behavior often linked to comorbid psychiatric conditions.
- Current treatment approaches appear insufficient for managing self-harm and associated distress.
- The severity of self-harm is highlighted by instances of suicide attempts, underscoring the need for improved therapeutic strategies.