Deliberate Self Harm Patients With Depressive Disorders: Treatment and Outcome

The aim of this study was to examine the treatment received by deliberate self-harm (DSH) patients with depression & their progress following DSH. A representative sample of 106 patients with an ICD-10 depressive episode who presented to a general hospital following an episode of DSH were investigated in terms of their treatment before & after the episode & their outcome at follow-up. 27 patients reported a further episode of DSH during follow-up, & 1 had completed suicide. Implications are discussed. (25 refs)