Abstract
To examine Australian trends in deliberate self-harm in order to explore aetiological factors and improve clinical practice. A database recording 5 years of activity of a consultation-liaison service from a large tertiary referral hospital in Sydney was analysed to discover trends in types of self-harm, sex, age, marital status, repetition rates, diagnoses and follow up. 1295 patients with deliberate self-harm were referred to the Service over the 5 years. Of these patients, women exceeded men (ratio of 1.48:1). Self-poisoning constituted 79.5% of the referrals. Rates of self-harm referrals increased from 1999 to 2001, but appeared to plateau in 2002 and 2003. Eighty-eight per cent of referrals were first presentations of self-harm. Most referrals received the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood, but a significant proportion was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia, particularly in those that violently self-harmed. There was a significant decline in the rate of admission to hospital over the study period. While patient characteristics did not change significantly, there was a decline in admission rates to hospital. Many patients had serious mental illnesses, highlighting the importance of a thorough psychiatric assessment of people who self-harm.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.