Deliberate Self Harm: Systematic Review of Efficacy of Psychosocial and Pharmacological Treatments in Preventing Repetition

This article identifies & synthesises the findings of all randomised controlled trials that have examined the effectiveness of treatments of deliberate self-harm patients. The main outcome measure was repetition of self-harm. Some of the results indicated reduced repetition for problem solving therapy & for provision of an emergency contact card in addition to standard care. It is concluded that considerable uncertainty remains about which forms of treatments are most effective. (51 refs.)