Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish how often pain was a factor contributing to an episode of deliberate self-harm. METHOD: Retrospective case note examination of all deliberate self-harm patients with concurrent medical problems admitted to a general hospital over 2 years. RESULTS: Pain was considered to be a contributory factor in the episode of deliberate self-harm in 75 (4%) of the total number of episodes of deliberate self-harm (1665) over the 2-year period. These patients were older and had higher suicide intent scores, but lower rates of previous psychiatric illness or alcohol or drug misuse than did the deliberate self-harm patients with medical problems but no pain. Although 60% had experienced pain for more than 6 months only, 8 (12%) were attending the local Pain Clinic at the time of the deliberate self-harm. CONCLUSION: We propose closer collaboration between general hospital services and local pain clinics for deliberate self-harm patients with painful disorders. Clinicians need to assess suicidal ideation and risk of self-harm when prescribing for this population.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.10.004

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Psychosom Res

Publication Date

04/2005

Volume

58

Pages

317 - 320

Keywords

Adult, Causality, Chronic Disease, Comorbidity, Cooperative Behavior, Drug Overdose, Female, Hospitals, General, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Pain, Pain Clinics, Psychiatric Department, Hospital, Risk Factors, Self-Injurious Behavior, Statistics as Topic, Suicide, Attempted