Citation

Radziwiłłowicz W, Reszka N. Psychiatria (2004) 2008; 5(4): 144-155.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Via Medica)

DOI

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PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Introduction. Anorexia nervosa is the most thoroughly described and examined form of eating disorders, however self-destructive behaviours in people suffering from this disorder seldom determined the area of investigative interest. However, the occurrence of self-destructiveness, including suicidal attempts, is quite well substantiated in people suffering from bulimia nervosa. Material. The clinical group consisted of 30 girls with diagnosed anorexia nervosa, and the control group of 30 healthy girls. The average age of the clinical group girls was 16.8, and of the control group girls 18.

METHODS. The questionnaire of self-destructive behaviours by Juzwin has been applied in investigations.

RESULTS. Most forms of self-destructive behaviours appear more often in girls with anorexia nervosa than in healthy girls. Both girls with anorexia nervosa and girls from the control group take actions of direct and indirect self-destructiveness. Symptoms, intensity and most probably self-destructiveness functions are different in both examined groups, however. More than half of the girls suffering from anorexia nervosa manifest self-injury behaviours. The most frequent acts of direct self-destruction iclude: various manifestations of mutilating one's own skin, impeding wound healing, and suicide attempts. The range of manifested self-destructive behaviours of indirect nature includes: starving oneself, purging behaviours and excessive exercising, being a part of the clinical picture of anorexia nervosa.

CONCLUSIONS. Various manifestations of self-destructiveness and suicidal attempts often form together the clinical picture of anorexia nervosa and should be taken into account in diagnosis and therapy schemes for people suffering from this disorder. © Copyright 2008 Via Medica.

Language: pl

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; female; Adolescence; suicide attempt; anorexia nervosa; Anorexia nervosa; article; controlled study; questionnaire; symptomatology; behavior disorder; clinical article; clinical feature; automutilation; groups by age; starvation; wound healing; exhaustion; Self-destructive behaviours