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Netherlands: Cognitive behaviour therapy sessions
Study shows treatment can help people who self–harm
A new study from the Netherlands has found that patients who received 12 sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy [CBT], in addition to treatment as usual, had greater reductions in self–harm, suicidal thoughts and symptoms of depression and anxiety, compared with a control group who only received the usual treatment. The CBT group also displayed significant improvements in self–esteem and problem–solving ability.
Self–harm by young people is on the increase and although hospital treatment, medication and psychotherapy form the usual treatment, this has never been found to be effective in a controlled clinical trial. This recent controlled study involved 90 patients between the ages of 15 and 35 who had recently self–harmed, and were randomly assigned the two different treatments.
The findings suggest that CBT primarily targeted depression, suicidal thoughts and problem–solving, and that the specific self–harm effect, which was apparent only at the nine–month follow–up, was a secondary effect. Helping patients with their current problems was a vital element of the treatment, as people who self–harm have poor problem–solving skills that are independent of their mood.
The researchers say the positive effect of CBT on self–harm is important due to the high suicide risk that follows it and found that CBT works for those who repeatedly injure themselves and are also mentally ill. Suicidal thoughts are considered to be the main triggers for repeated self–harm, so the reduction of these in the CBT group is another significant discovery.
Further investigation is needed into how CBT achieves these results, but the researchers conclude that a short course of CBT should be added to the usual care as this could provide clinicians with an important tool to prevent self harm in those who are at high risk.
For further information visit the Royal College of Psychiatrists UK website at: www.rcpsych.ac.uk.
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