Perspectives of Mental Health Professionals and Patients on Self-Injury in Psychiatry: A Literature Review

Professionals in psychiatry often encounter patients who injure themselves. To explore the perspectives of mental health professionals and patients on self-injurious behavior and treatment, the authors carried out a literature review. The reviewers found little documented data that elucidated or discussed any shared understanding about self-injurious behavior between patients and professionals or between professionals themselves. Many of the problems experienced in relation to self-injury may be due to this lack of a common view. There were few evidence-based strategies for managing self-injury that received any attention in the literature. Future studies should focus on the development and testing of preventative interventions, putting particular emphasis on effective communication between professionals and patients.