The Challenge of Evaluating the Effectiveness of Treatments for Deliberate Self-harm

Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is the most important factor associated with risk of suicide. Repetition of DSH after hospital presentation is common, with most studies reporting between 12 & 25% of patients repeating within a year & again presenting to hospital, many more have repeat episodes & do not bring them to clinical attention. The results of both psychosocial & pharmacological interventions to prevent repetition have been disappointing but the findings of treatment trials have not all been negative. A recent trial of psychotherapy was more effective than treatment as usual. (LC) (25 refs)