Psychiatric disorders (Axis I and Axis II) and self-immolation: a case-control study from Iran.
The objective of this study was to investigate preexisting psychiatric disorders in self-immolation patients. In a case-control study, 30 consecutive cases of deliberate self-inflicted burns, admitted to the regional burn center, were compared with 30 controls. Mental disorders were assessed via detailed clinical interview. Descriptive data revealed that 67% of self-immolation patients had adjustment disorder (all female), 10% drug and alcohol abuse/dependence (all male), 7% dysthymia, 3% major depression, 3% anorexia nervosa, 3% primary insomnia, 7% borderline personality disorder (50% male), 7% depressive personality disorder (100% female), and 3% antisocial personality disorder. In bivariate comparisons, adjustment disorders emerged as related to risk of self-immolation (odds ratio = 13.00). This study suggests that adjustment disorder is a risk factor for self-immolation. As a result, it has been suggested that increasing education about problem-solving approaches, and coping skills for females and at-risk groups are appropriate prevention programs and strategies in Iranian communities.
Ahmadi
Alireza
A
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. ahmadiar1012@yahoo.com
Mohammadi
Reza
R
Schwebel
David C
DC
Yeganeh
Naser
N
Hassanzadeh
Mehdi
M
Bazargan-Hejazi
Shahrzad
S
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors