Self-Mutilation and Suicide Attempt: Distinguishing Features in Prisoners

This exploratory study tested the hypothesis that prisoners who injured themselves without intending to die would differ clinically from prisoners who had attempted suicide. Patients were classified as self-mutilators or suicide attempters on the basis of intent. 15 patients reported they had attempted to take their own lives, while 16 reported other reasons for harming themselves. Suicide attempt was associated with adult affective disorder, & self-mutilation with a history of child hyperactivity, & a mixed dysthymia/anxiety syndrome that began in childhood or early adolescence. The history of child hyperactivity in self-mutilators needs further study in both correctional & noncorrectional populations. (32 refs.)