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Self‐Destructive Behavior in Patients with Dissociative Disorders
Author(s) -
Saxe Glenn N.,
Chawla Neharika,
Van der Kolk Bessel
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1521/suli.32.3.313.22174
Subject(s) - dissociative , dissociative disorders , dissociation (chemistry) , clinical psychology , psychiatry , psychology , medicine , chemistry
Highrates of self‐injury have been reported in patients with dissociative disorders, yet no prior study has directly compared these patients with other psychiatric patients. The present study assesses self‐destructive behavior in a group of inpatients who have dissociative disorders compared to those who report few dissociative symptoms. These patients more frequently engage in self‐destructive behaviors, use more methods of self‐injury, and begin to injure themselves at an earlier age then patients who do not dissociate. Results have important implications for understanding the relationship between dissociation, childhood trauma, and self‐injury and for assessment and treatment of patients with dissociative disorders.