Self-Mutilation and the Chronically Suicidal Patient: An Examination of the Frequent Visitor to the Psychiatric Emergency Room

Compared diagnostic, behavioral, & demographic characteristics of 24 16-56 yr old chronically suicidal (CHS) Ss with a nonsuicidal control group of 21 21-62 yr old chronic emergency room (ER) visitors seen during 1 year. 19 CHS patients, but no controls, had a history of self-mutilation. CHS patients, who comprised 1.5% of the patients seen by the psychiatric emergency service during the year, accounted for over 12% of all ER visits. 36 months later, no Ss from either group had committed suicide.