Journal
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
Volume 192, Issue 3, Pages 178-184Publisher
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.107.037192
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Funding
- MRC [G0600972] Funding Source: UKRI
- Medical Research Council [G0600972] Funding Source: researchfish
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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. Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.
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