Citation

Greydanus DE. Psychiatric Times 2011; 28(2): 32-33+36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

DSH is a relatively common and pervasive, yet often surreptitious, phenomenon that may start in childhood and escalate in adolescence and young adulthood. Repeated DSH is linked to eventual suicide.1.36 Adolescent girls seem more vulnerable to this behavior than adolescent boys. Key components of DSH behavior are negative emotion and saturnine self-derogation. Etiological factors behind DSH include attempts to resist suicidal thoughts, expression of disgust or self-anger, attempts to seek help from others, a desperate desire to remove periods of dissociation, and audacious wishes to influence others.7,8 Study findings indicate an association between DSH and drug and alcohol abuse and eating disorders. Research is seeking to categorize various subgroups, such as major versus minor, types 1 through 4, those with serious versus minimal injury, as well as others. Fortunately, most are not at high risk for completed suicide.37 All DSH behavior should be taken seriously by the psychiatrist, and comprehensive evaluation as well as individualized management should be provided.38 Research should look at ways to improve primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention as well as methods of intervention.1,39,40 Effective interventions will prevent DSH from becoming a repetitive pattern that can result in suicide.

Language: en