Citation

Martin G, Brown S. Medicine (Abingdon) 2020; 48(3): 173-175.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Medicine Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.mpmed.2019.12.006

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Self-poisoning accounts for a significant number of attendances to acute services. It can occur at any age. The reasons that lead someone to self-poison are variable and individual. It is often a manifestation of distress. Women are more likely to present, or die, after overdose than men, although men are more likely to die by suicide overall. Self-harm, including self-poisoning, is a strong risk factor and antecedent to suicide. Psychosocial assessment offers an important opportunity to intervene. Risk stratification tools are not helpful alone, and should not replace a specialist clinical assessment, outlined here.

Language: en

Keywords

Assessment; intervention; MRCP; risk; self-harm; self-poisoning; suicide