Psychiatric Assessment of Deliberate Self-Poisoning

Abstract

Psychological differences between those who attempt suicide and those who do not are not agreed upon by all specialists. The current study was carried out to compare psychological factors between patients with deliberate and nondeliberate self-poisoning in Kermanshah, Iran. It is a frequency matched case-control study. For the purpose of this study, among people who deliberately attempted suicide who were taken to Imam Khomeini Hospital of Kermanshah, 200 were selected as a sample. The controls were frequency matched with nondeliberate self-poisoning patients. For both deliberate and nondeliberate cases of self-poisoning, drug use was the most significant cause of poisoning. In comparison with nondeliberate self-poisoning, people with deliberate self-poisoning used more neurotic and immature defense mechanisms, and people with nondeliberate self-poisoning used more mature defense mechanisms. In general, both groups showed significant use of defense mechanisms; however, with regard to self-concept and general health, they showed no significant difference in any subcategories. When a person does not have the ability to adapt to stressful and difficult situations, he or she may turn to defense mechanisms that make the situation worse rather than better. Thus, enhancing defense and psychological mechanisms among vulnerable people should be considered. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2019;49(8):362–367.]