Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Self-harm in first-episode psychosis

2008; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 192; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1192/bjp.bp.107.037192

1472-1465

Samuel B. Harvey, Kimberlie Dean, Craig Morgan, Elizabeth Walsh, Arsime Demjaha, Paola Dazzan, Kevin Morgan, Tuhina Lloyd, Paul Fearon, Peter B. Jones, Robin M. Murray,

Bipolar Disorder and Treatment

Background Little is known about self-harm occurring during the period of untreated first-episode psychosis. Aims To establish the prevalence, nature, motivation and risk factors for self-harm occurring during the untreated phase of first-episode psychosis. Method As part of the æSOP (Aetiology and Ethnicity in Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses) study, episodes of self-harm were identified among all incident cases of psychosis presenting to services in south-east London and Nottingham over a 2-year period. Results Of the 496 participants, 56 (11.3%) had engaged in self-harm between the onset of psychotic symptoms and first presentation to services. The independent correlates of self-harm were: male gender, belonging to social class I/II, depression and a prolonged period of untreated psychosis. Increased insight was also associated with risk of self-harm. Conclusions Self-harm is common during the pre-treatment phase of first-episode psychosis. A unique set of fixed and malleable risk factors appear to operate in those with first-episode psychosis. Reducing treatment delay and modifying disease attitudes may be key targets for suicide prevention.