A study of suicidality and self-injury in patients with Autism at Yuwaprasart Waithayopathum hospital
Keywords:
autism spectrum disorders, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), risk factors, suicidal self-injury (SSI)Abstract
Objective: To study suicidal self-injury (SSI) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors in patients with autism.
Methods: This retrospective study used secondary data from medical records of patients diagnosed with DSM-V autism spectrum disorders and admitted with SSI and NSSI between January 2017 and December 2019. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage). Demographics, autism severity, and precipitating events were compared between groups using chi-square test and t-test.
Results: Of 59 subjects, 9 (15%) had SSI and 50 (85%) had NSSI. The SSI group aged between 11 - 14 years old ( = 13.8, 95% CI = 11.8 -13.2). The NSSI group aged between 6 - 54 years old (
= 12.3, 95% CI = 11.6 - 16.0). Both groups had female to male sex ratio of 2 : 7. The SSI group had significantly higher educational attainment, function, and psychiatric comorbidities than the NSSI group. The most common comorbidity in the SSI group was depression (77.8%). Most common precipitating events before SSI were conflicts with family members and classmates, and being bullied. The most common comorbidity in the NSSI group was ADHD/disruptive behavior disorder (54%).
Conclusion: The underlying features and triggering events of SSI and NSSI were different. Understanding the difference between the two types of self-harm behaviors in autistic people are essential for effective prevention of recurrence, intervention, and long-term care.
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