The deliberate self-harm syndrome

Abstract

Recent research has differentiated several distinct classes of self-destructive behavior. The clinical characteristics of 1 class, the deliberate self-harm syndrome, are described. Analysis of 56 published case reports of self-harm revealed a typical pattern of onset in late adolescence, multiple recurrent episodes, low lethality, harm deliberately inflicted upon the body and extension of the behavior over many years. Since the clinical characteristics of the deliberate self-harm syndrome differ substantially from those of other classes of self-destructive behavior, DSM-IV [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV] apparently should classify deliberate self-harm as a separate diagnostic syndrome.