Deliberate self harm is common reason for emergency medical admission

BMJ ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 322 (7293) ◽  
pp. 1065-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
O M Bennewith
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Hira Khan ◽  
Bisma Laeeque ◽  
Nuzhat Firdous

This study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan to explore the overall and gender-wise prevalence of Deliberate Self-Harm in adolescents. Identification of most common reason and method practiced for DSH by adolescents were also the objective of study. The sample size for the study was calculated with G-power factor formula and as per the results generated from the software, a sample of (N=200) hundred males and hundred females was analyzed. ISAS inventory was used as research tool in this study. Cross-sectional survey was conducted and it was found that 62% adolescents indulged into the practice of DSH. Furthermore biting was the most common method and affect regulation was identified as most common reason due to which adolescents practiced DSH. It was also exhibited by data analysis that females were twice more active participant of DSH as compared to males.


2021 ◽  
pp. emermed-2020-210393
Author(s):  
Joanna Stevens ◽  
James Price ◽  
Antonia Hazlerigg ◽  
Sarah McLachlan ◽  
Ed Benjamin Graham Barnard

IntroductionThere is significant interest in the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) attend the most seriously unwell and injured patients in the community; their data therefore present an early opportunity to examine self-harm trends. The primary aim was to compare the incidence of deliberate self-harm incident (DSH-I) encounters by HEMS before and during the first wave of COVID-19.MethodsData were obtained from all three East of England HEMS: total number of activations and stand-downs, number of DSH-I activations and stand-downs, self-harm mechanism and number of ‘severe’ DSH-I patient encounters, in two 61-day periods: 1 March to 30 April in 2019 (control) and 2020 (COVID-19). Severe DSH-I was defined as cardiac arrest and/or died prehospital. Proportions were compared with a Fisher’s exact test.ResultsThere were a total of 1725 HEMS activations: n=981 (control) and n=744 (COVID-19), a decrease of 24.2% during COVID-19. DSH-I patient encounters increased by 65.4%: n=26 (control) and n=43 (COVID-19). The proportion of encounters that were DSH-I and severe DSH-I both significantly increased during COVID-19: p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively. The absolute number of hangings and falls from height both approximately tripled during COVID-19, whereas the number of other mechanisms remained almost constant.ConclusionDespite a reduction in overall HEMS patient encounters, there were significant increases in both the proportion of DSH-Is and their severity attended by HEMS during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the East of England.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-151
Author(s):  
Emily McNicholas ◽  
◽  
Ahmed H Abdelhafiz ◽  

Unexplained fever and confusion is a common reason for emergency medical admission. When this occurs in the context of new urinary incontinence, a urinary tract infection may be considered to be the most likely cause. However it is also important to consider spinal pathology when this combination of symptoms arises. We present a case of a retropharygeal collection presenting in a patient with this combination of symptoms.


Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 272-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison S. Christian ◽  
Kristen M. McCabe

Background: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) occurs with high frequency among clinical and nonclinical youth populations. Although depression has been consistently linked with the behavior, not all depressed individuals engage in DSH. Aims: The current study examined maladaptive coping strategies (i.e., self-blame, distancing, and self-isolation) as mediators between depression and DSH among undergraduate students. Methods: 202 students from undergraduate psychology courses at a private university in Southern California (77.7% women) completed anonymous self-report measures. Results: A hierarchical regression model found no differences in DSH history across demographic variables. Among coping variables, self-isolation alone was significantly related to DSH. A full meditational model was supported: Depressive symptoms were significantly related to DSH, but adding self-isolation to the model rendered the relationship nonsignificant. Limitations: The cross-sectional study design prevents determination of whether a casual relation exists between self-isolation and DSH, and obscures the direction of that relationship. Conclusions: Results suggest targeting self-isolation as a means of DSH prevention and intervention among nonclinical, youth populations.


Crisis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kinyanda ◽  
H. Hjelmeland ◽  
S. Musisi

Abstract. Negative life events associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH) were investigated in an African context in Uganda. Patients admitted at three general hospitals in Kampala, Uganda were interviewed using a Luganda version (predominant language in the study area) of the European Parasuicide Study Interview Schedule I. The results of the life events and histories module are reported in this paper. The categories of negative life events in childhood that were significantly associated with DSH included those related to parents, significant others, personal events, and the total negative life events load in childhood. For the later-life time period, the negative life events load in the partner category and the total negative life events in this time period were associated with DSH. In the last-year time period, the negative life events load related to personal events and the total number of negative life events in this time period were associated with DSH. A statistically significant difference between the cases and controls for the total number of negative life events reported over the entire lifetime of the respondents was also observed, which suggests a dose effect of negative life events on DSH. Gender differences were also observed among the cases. In conclusion, life events appear to be an important factor in DSH in this cultural environment. The implication of these results for treatment and the future development of suicide interventions in this country are discussed.


Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 422-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rouen ◽  
Alan R. Clough ◽  
Caryn West

Abstract. Background: Indigenous Australians experience a suicide rate over twice that of the general population. With nonfatal deliberate self-harm (DSH) being the single most important risk factor for suicide, characterizing the incidence and repetition of DSH in this population is essential. Aims: To investigate the incidence and repetition of DSH in three remote Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland, Australia. Method: DSH presentation data at a primary health-care center in each community were analyzed over a 6-year period from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011. Results: A DSH presentation rate of 1,638 per 100,000 population was found within the communities. Rates were higher in age groups 15–24 and 25–34, varied between communities, and were not significantly different between genders; 60% of DSH repetitions occurred within 6 months of an earlier episode. Of the 227 DSH presentations, 32% involved hanging. Limitations: This study was based on a subset of a larger dataset not specifically designed for DSH data collection and assesses the subset of the communities that presented to the primary health-care centers. Conclusion: A dedicated DSH monitoring study is required to provide a better understanding of DSH in these communities and to inform early intervention strategies.


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