Self harm Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of self harm?
A
Intentional act of self-poisoning or injury – expression of emotional distress
2
Q
How common is self harm?
A
Lifetime prevalence of 5-6% in the UK
3
Q
What are the pathology of self harm?
A
• Includes physical injury, poisoning, misusing substances, anorexia, bulimia, excessively exercising
4
Q
What are the risk factors/aetiology of self harm?
A
- Stressful/emotional situations
- Social problems e.g. bullying, difficult relationships, arranged marriage
- Trauma e.g. abuse, miscarriage
- Psychological e.g. hallucinations/delusions to harm themselves, disassociating, personality disorder
5
Q
What are the signs/symptoms of self harm?
A
- Behaviour e.g. self-cutting intended to cause harm
- Ingesting a substance in excess
- Ingesting recreational/illicit drugs
- Ingesting a non-ingestible substance/object
- Done in private/hidden
- Unexplained cuts/burns
- Keeping themselves covered at all times, inc. in hot weather
- Depression signs/symptoms
- Anxiety
- Self-loathing/expressing wishes to punish themselves
- Becoming withdrawn
- Suicidal thoughts
- Changes in eating habits/weight loss or gain
- Low self-esteem
6
Q
What investigations are carried out for those who self harm?
A
- Risk assessment
* Full mental health/social needs assessment
7
Q
What are the pharmacological treatments for self harm?
A
- Activated charcoal – given as early as possible, preferably within 1 hour of ingestion
- Antidepressants – be cautious
8
Q
What are the non pharmacological treatments for self harm?
A
- Refer to A&E
- Psychological intervention
- CBT
- Support organisations
