Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicide Attempt: continuum or separated identities?
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been proposed as diagnostic entity and was added in the section 3 of the DSM 5. However, little is known about the long-term course of the disorder: NSSI and suicide attempt (SA) often lie on a continuum of self-harm, however it is still unclear if they are separate diseases. Both are commonly included in “Deliberate self-harm (DSH)” definition, togheter with self-harm with suicidal intent conditions. •Is there a possible psychopathological link between NSSI and suicidal ideation? Depressive symptoms seem to distinguish “NSSI-only” patients from NSSI patients who attempt suicide. •Higher NSSI frequency, longer history of NSSI, greater variety of methods, automatic functions of NSSI (e.g. affect regulation), higher subjective pain experience, medical treatment, and a history of self-cutting have all been suggested to increase risk of ?STB à .Individuals who use NSSI to “feel something” seems to be at elevated odds of experiencing STB trajectory.