Book contents
- Seminars in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- College Seminars Series
- Seminars in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Chapter 1 The Assessment Process in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 2 Notes on Training Pathways in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 3 Nursing in Consultation-Liaison Settings
- Chapter 4 Psychological Reaction to Physical Illness
- Chapter 5 Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
- Chapter 6 Depression in Medical Settings
- Chapter 7 Functional Somatic Symptoms
- Chapter 8 Alcohol Misuse
- Chapter 9 Substance Misuse
- Chapter 10 Psychosis in General Hospital Settings
- Chapter 11 Acute Behavioural Disturbance in the General Hospital
- Chapter 12 The Neurology–Psychiatry Interface
- Chapter 13 Perinatal Psychiatry
- Chapter 14 Paediatric Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 15 Psychological Treatment
- Chapter 16 Legal and Ethical Issues in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 17 Social Aspects of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 18 Education for Acute Hospital Staff
- Chapter 19 Considerations in the Planning and Delivery of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Services
- Chapter 20 Outcome Measurement in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 21 The Evidence Base for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 22 Primary Care Consultation-Liaison Services
- Chapter 23 Emergency Department Psychiatry
- Chapter 24 Setting Standards for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Services
- Chapter 25 Policy to Practice
- Chapter 26 Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Index
- References
Chapter 5 - Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 January 2024
- Seminars in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- College Seminars Series
- Seminars in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Chapter 1 The Assessment Process in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 2 Notes on Training Pathways in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 3 Nursing in Consultation-Liaison Settings
- Chapter 4 Psychological Reaction to Physical Illness
- Chapter 5 Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
- Chapter 6 Depression in Medical Settings
- Chapter 7 Functional Somatic Symptoms
- Chapter 8 Alcohol Misuse
- Chapter 9 Substance Misuse
- Chapter 10 Psychosis in General Hospital Settings
- Chapter 11 Acute Behavioural Disturbance in the General Hospital
- Chapter 12 The Neurology–Psychiatry Interface
- Chapter 13 Perinatal Psychiatry
- Chapter 14 Paediatric Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 15 Psychological Treatment
- Chapter 16 Legal and Ethical Issues in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 17 Social Aspects of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 18 Education for Acute Hospital Staff
- Chapter 19 Considerations in the Planning and Delivery of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Services
- Chapter 20 Outcome Measurement in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 21 The Evidence Base for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Chapter 22 Primary Care Consultation-Liaison Services
- Chapter 23 Emergency Department Psychiatry
- Chapter 24 Setting Standards for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Services
- Chapter 25 Policy to Practice
- Chapter 26 Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Index
- References
Summary
Lifetime prevalence of self-harm (self-poisoning or self-injury) is 5–6% in the UK adult population. Rates are increasing especially among young women, where lifetime prevalence is now 25%. The commonest immediate causes are social and interpersonal problems. The most commonly associated mental health problems are mood disorders and alcohol misuse. Assessment involves careful characterisation of the act of self-harm, the person who self-harms and their social circumstances, but should not entirely be focussed on risk. It should identify needs in mental health or physical health, social needs and psychological needs, and should be a therapeutic experience for the person who has self-harmed. The assessment itself may be helpful for some. Research into cost-effective treatment is limited, but even so it is reasonable to offer brief psychological therapies to everybody and longer-term therapies to those with severe repeated self-harm. Quality improvement activities should aim to improve the experience for people making contact with mental health and to increase the availability and accessibility of therapeutic interventions for self-harm.
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- Seminars in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry , pp. 61 - 77Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024