Differences in Non-suicidal Self-injury Behaviors between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Depression in Adolescent Outpatients

Objective Non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)has a higher prevalence in adolescents with depressive disorders than in community adolescents.This study examined the differences in NSSI behaviors between adolescents with unipolar depression(UD)and those with bipolar depression(BD).Methods Adolescents with UD or BD were recruited from 20 general or psychiatric hospitals across China.The methods,frequency,and function of NSSI were assessed by Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation.The Beck Suicide Ideation Scale was used to evaluate adolescents’suicidal ideation,and the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale to estimate the anxiety and depression symptoms.Results The UD group had higher levels of depression(19.16 vs.17.37,F=15.23,P<0.001)and anxiety symptoms(17.73 vs.16.70,F=5.00,P=0.026)than the BD group.Adolescents with BD had a longer course of NSSI than those with UD(2.00 vs.1.00 year,Z=−3.39,P=0.001).There were no statistical differences in the frequency and the number of methods of NSSI between the UD and BD groups.Depression(r=0.408,P<0.01)and anxiety(r=0.391,P<0.01)were significantly and positively related to NSSI frequency.Conclusion Adolescents with BD had a longer course of NSSI than those with UD.More importantly,NSSI frequency were positively and strongly correlated with depression and anxiety symptoms,indicating the importance of adequate treatment of depression and anxiety in preventing and intervening adolescents’NSSI behaviors.

Non-suicidal self-injury in Shanghai inner bound middle school students

Background Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviour is very common among adolescents. Its prevalence and behavioural characteristics may vary according to regional and cultural differences. Investigation of NSSI locations and diagnosis of adolescents with NSSI are relatively lacking in China. Aims The study objective was to determine the prevalence and features of NSSI among middle school students in Shanghai. Methods The participants were from grade 6 to 8 selected from three junior schools in Jing’an District. Consenting students completed the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory to determine the prevalence and characteristics of NSSI. Those who indicated NSSI within the past month were administered the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents to assess for emotional disorders. Result The result shows 510 participants (21.7%;mean age 13.51 (0.97) years old;56.7% female) reported at least one instance of NSSI during the previous 12 months. NSSI was significantly more common in girls than boys (24.9% vs 18.5%;χ^2=14.03, p=0.00). Commonly reported reasons for NSSI were for internal and external emotion regulation (87.9%, 82.3%) and social influence (57.8%). Anxiety disorders were the most common (28.9%) disorder associated with NSSI. Conclusion The rate of NSSI of middle school students in Shanghai inner bound is similar to those reported in North American and European youth. It is essential that school mental health professionals are aware of how to manage NSSI within the school setting.

Research progress on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and non-suicidal self-injury addictive behavior associated with depressive disorders in adolescents

In recent years,non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)behavior has emerged in a large number of adoles-cent depression.NSSI associated with adolescent depres-sion may be an addictive behavior,which has many sim-ilar neurobiological mechanisms to substance addiction.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and precursor of BDNF(proBDNF)play an important role in addiction behavior,and they may be related to endogenous opioid receptors.The location and distribution of opioidμre-ceptors in the brain are related to reward,motivation and emotion regulated by behavioral addiction.The purpose of this paper is to review the general situation,mechanism and relationship between the characteristics of NSSI be-havior addiction and brain-derived nutritional factors in adolescents with depression.

Cutting and other forms of derma-abuse in adolescents

Cutting or self inflicted epidermal damage (derma-abuse) describes a number of blood- letting behaviours among adolescents. Unlike suicidal behaviour, it is associated with low lethality and the absence of suicidal attempts. The purpose of this study is two-fold: Firstly, to present and discuss vignettes of four young adolescents and secondly, to study the dynamics and characteristics of six derma-abusers who have attended Dual Group Therapy (DGT) concurrently with their parents for a six month period. Our findings suggest that patients involved in derma-abuse are generally non-suicidal but engage in comfort cutting for the psychological release of pain, tension reduction and anger management. There is a preponderance of females (80%) with an over-representation of mixed origin and borderline cultural states. In this small group, males amounted to 20% and were more bizarre, gruesome and brutal in their self-abuse. Of the total sample, 10% were of African origin, 60% were of Indian descent and 30% were of mixed ancestry. Psy- chodynamic factors explored in Dual Group Therapy (DGT) are the emphasis on non-suicidal intent, association with tension reduction, reclaiming power and mastery over self and others, life and death instincts, the significance of bloodletting in a socio-cultural context, trans- generational conflicts, dysfunctional family dynamics frequently with parental separation and sexual abuse and early sexual induction.