BACKGROUND: Little is known about self-harm occurring during the period of untreated first-episode psychosis. AIMS: To establish the prevalence, nature, motivation and risk factors for self-harm occurring during the untreated phase of first-episode psychosis. METHOD: As part of the AESOP (Aetiology and Ethnicity in Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses) study, episodes of self-harm were identified among all incident cases of psychosis presenting to services in south-east London and Nottingham over a 2-year period. RESULTS: Of the 496 participants, 56 (11.3%) had engaged in self-harm between the onset of psychotic symptoms and first presentation to services. The independent correlates of self-harm were: male gender, belonging to social class I/II, depression and a prolonged period of untreated psychosis. Increased insight was also associated with risk of self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: Self-harm is common during the pre-treatment phase of first-episode psychosis. A unique set of fixed and malleable risk factors appear to operate in those with first-episode psychosis. Reducing treatment delay and modifying disease attitudes may be key targets for suicide prevention.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about self-harm occurring during the period of untreated first-episode psychosis. AIMS: To establish the prevalence, nature, motivation and risk factors for self-harm occurring during the untreated phase of first-episode psychosis. METHOD: As part of the AESOP (Aetiology and Ethnicity in Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses) study, episodes of self-harm were identified among all incident cases of psychosis presenting to services in south-east London and Nottingham over a 2-year period. RESULTS: Of the 496 participants, 56 (11.3%) had engaged in self-harm between the onset of psychotic symptoms and first presentation to services. The independent correlates of self-harm were: male gender, belonging to social class I/II, depression and a prolonged period of untreated psychosis. Increased insight was also associated with risk of self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: Self-harm is common during the pre-treatment phase of first-episode psychosis. A unique set of fixed and malleable risk factors appear to operate in those with first-episode psychosis. Reducing treatment delay and modifying disease attitudes may be key targets for suicide prevention.
Authors: Wing Chung Chang; Emily S M Chen; Christy L M Hui; Sherry K W Chan; Edwin Ho Ming Lee; Eric Y H Chen Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2014-08-13 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Helen L Fisher; Thomas K Craig; Paul Fearon; Kevin Morgan; Paola Dazzan; Julia Lappin; Gerard Hutchinson; Gillian A Doody; Peter B Jones; Peter McGuffin; Robin M Murray; Julian Leff; Craig Morgan Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2009-09-23 Impact factor: 9.306