title: Functions and timescale of self-cutting in participants suffering from borderline personality disorder.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the meanings and timescale of self-cuttings in a cohort of 22 outpatients suffering from borderline personality disorder. Sixty-one events were recorded using the newly developed self-cutting-checklist (SCUC) designed to investigate the severity of self-cuttings, and intent to die, suicidal ideation, inner tension, sense of relief and anesthesia, and consequences associated with this behavior. We found that typical self-cuttings were associated with a decrease in inner tension and suicidal ideation. Moreover self-cuttings associated with a desire to die differentiated from those associated with no desire to die by significantly less reduction in inner tension. Finally, self-cuttings occurred significantly more often during evenings and nights than during daytime. In conclusion, self-cuttings can be reasonably addressed by self-report. Attention to specific issues such as intent to die and the time of the self-cuttings may improve the outcome of these particularly high-risk subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Division of Adult Psychiatry, Rue du 31-Décembre 8, Geneva, Switzerland. nader.perroud@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perroud
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dieben
authors.forename: Rosetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nicastro
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muscionico
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huguelet
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D012649:Self Concept; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult