Young people who cut themselves: can understanding the reasons guide the treatment?

Abstract

SummaryYoung people who cut themselves may do so for reasons that go beyond diagnosis. Relevant processes include responses to trauma, coping, emotion regulation and cultural identification. Some clinicians regard those who self-harm negatively or consider one therapeutic approach to be suitable for all. This article explores the possible mechanisms involved when young people cut themselves and discusses therapeutic approaches in the light of these. Clinicians and researchers are encouraged to refine, develop and research interventions for young people who self-harm by cutting. DeClaraTioN of iNTereSTNone.

A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews Exploring the Factors Related to Child and Adolescent Self-Harm

“…At present, there is no definitive evidence to support any specific treatment intervention for self-harm alone (Ougrin, 2012). Preventive interventions require a stronger evidence base (Robinson et al, 2013) including more intervention studies tailored to the widely differing associated causes of self-harm (Wright et al, 2013). As shown in this review, research does not currently provide clear exposition of the associations of self-harm in young people.…”

“…A systematic review of systematic reviews is a methodology that enables these to be brought together. Updating and furthering our understanding of these factors is imperative to guide the development of societal and health responses and interventions (Wright et al, 2013), given the multiplicity of areas that these could be targeted. Such areas could include prevention (Robinson et al, 2011), reduction of stigma (Naylor et al, 2009), promotion of resilience, self-efficacy and coping strategies (Mikolajczak et al, 2009;Reisner et al, 2014), interventions for depression (Middleton et al, 2005), psychosocial interventions (Corcoran et al, 2011), emergency care (Newton et al, 2010), and cultural interventions (Cervantes et al, 2014).…”

The Dual Value of the Web: Risks and Benefits of the Use of the Internet in Disorders with A Self-Destructive Component in Adolescents and Young Adults

“…Characteristics as impulsivity, poor problem-solving, hopelessness, high levels of self-criticism, affect dysregulation, difficulties in emotion regulation and coping, feelings of loss of control and detachment with consequent increased need of control, perfectionism, unhealthy care seeking and other aspects have been observed in youths presenting NSSI (Wright et al 2013), whilst many of these aspects are often reported also in those with ED (Cucchi et al 2016;Vieira et al 2016;Lavender et al 2015). Concurrent obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, personality disorders have been also observed in both ED and NSSI (Cucchi et al 2016;Wright et al 2013;Svirko and Hawton 2007;Sansone and Levitt 2002).…”

“…Eating disorders (ED) and non-suicidal self-injury behaviors (NSSI) are frequent disorders among adolescents and youths, with a lifetime prevalence ranging from 0.5 to 23% for ED (Smink et al 2012;Swanson et al 2011;Lock 2010;Favaro et al 2004) and from 5 to 25% for NSSI (Favaro et al 2004;Wright et al 2013). Female adolescents seem to be at higher risk to present one or both disorders than male adolescents (Brown and Kimball 2013;Wright et al 2013). Some evidence show a correlation between the two disorders as concurrent, or one preceding the other (Peterson et al 2008;Svirko and Hawton 2007;Favaro and Santonastaso 2000).…”

“…Some evidence show a correlation between the two disorders as concurrent, or one preceding the other (Peterson et al 2008;Svirko and Hawton 2007;Favaro and Santonastaso 2000). For example, adolescents recovered from anorexia nervosa (AN) might present other self-destructive behavior like selfharming (Wright et al 2013;Favaro and Santonastaso 2000), or bulimic patients (BN) might present self-harming as a concurrent symptom (Peterson et al 2008). According to Svirko and Hawton (2007) the occurrence of NSSI in eating disorder patients ranged between 25.4% and 55.2%, while the occurrence of eating disorders in NSSI patients ranged between 54% and 61%.…”