Overcoming lack of control over life may avoid self harm

Alcohol dependence, depression, and adolescent distress are common factors triggering self harm. Interviewing 20 people who had a history of deliberate self harm but no longer harmed themselves, Sinclair and Green (p 1112) found that most talked about their experience in terms of lack of control over their lives, through alcohol dependence, untreated depression, or, in adolescents, uncertainty within their family relationships. Hospital management of deliberate self harm can help in overcoming depression and alcohol misuse and thus reduce the risk of self harm, but it may be less appropriate in adolescents, who may be traumatised by admission to hospital.

Credit: JOE PARTRIDGE/REX