Are Suicide Attempters who Self-Mutilate a Unique Population?

The authors examined demographic characteristics, psychopathology, objective & perceived lethality of suicide attempts, & perceptions of their suicidal behaviour in 30 suicide attempters with cluster B personality disorders who had a history of self-mutilation & a matched group of 23 suicide attempters with cluster B personality disorders with no history of self-mutilation. The two groups did not differ in the objective lethality of their attempts, but their perceptions of the attempts differed. Self-mutilators perceived their suicide attempts as less lethal, with a greater likelihood of rescue, & with less certainty of death. They also had significantly higher levels of depression, hopelessness, aggression, anxiety, impulsivity, & suicide ideation. (28 refs.)