Citation

Böker H, Schopper C, Straub M, Himmighoffen H, Endrass J, Küchenhoff B, Weber S, Hell D. Psychother. Psychosom. Med. Psychol. 2007; 57(8): 319-327.

Vernacular Title

Automutilistisches Verhalten bei Patientinnen mit affektiven Storungen:

Affiliation

Klinik für affektive Erkrankungen und Allgemeinpsychiatrie Zürich Ost, Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich. boeker@bli.unizh.ch

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-2006-952033

PMID

17377890

Abstract

Automutilistic behaviour is frequently correlated with personality disorders and should be differentiated from suicidal behaviour during acute episodes of affective disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate psychotherapeutically and psychodynamically significant personality traits and affect regulation. The dimensions "relationship", "conflict" and "structure" were examined by means of Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics. Sample: 20 female patients with depression and automutilistic behaviour and 20 age-matched female subjects with a similar educational background, suffering from depression without automutilistic behaviour. RESULTS The female patients with depression and automutilistic behaviour could be differentiated from the control group in all categories in the OPD dimension "structure". They showed an "isolated" and "disclosed" self-image. This negative self-perception corresponded with a negative countertransference. There were no differences between the patients with automutilistic behaviour and the control group regarding the OPD dimension "conflict". Low and moderate levels of integration were prominently correlated with the autonomy-dependence conflict. CONCLUSION The results underline the significance of aspects of personality structure in automutilistic behaviour seen in female patients with depression. Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics can reveal therapeutically relevant personality dimensions for empirical research.

Language: de