Citation

Inder ML, Crowe MT, Luty SE, Carter JD, Moor S, Frampton CM, Joyce PR. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Psychiatry 2015; 50(2): 167-173.

Affiliation

Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago - Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0004867415622268

PMID

26698820

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Bipolar disorder is a chronic relapsing disorder associated with high rates of suicide, suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury. The study aimed to prospectively identify the rates of suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury in young people participating in an adjunctive randomised controlled psychotherapy for bipolar disorder and to identify differences in individuals who engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury, made suicide attempts or did both.

METHOD: In all, 100 participants aged 15-36 years with bipolar disorder received 78 weeks of psychotherapy and were followed up for a further 78 weeks. Data were collected using the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation.

RESULTS: Suicide attempts reduced from 11% at baseline to 1% at the end of follow-up (week 156). Similarly, self-harm reduced from 15% at baseline to 7% at the end of follow-up. Individuals who engaged in both nonsuicidal self-injury and made suicide attempts differed from those with who only made suicide attempts, engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury or did neither. They were characterised by a younger age of illness onset and higher comorbidity.

CONCLUSION: Adjunctive intensive psychotherapy may be effective in reducing suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury and warrants further attention. Particular attention needs to be paid to individuals with early age of onset of bipolar disorder.

Language: en