SELF-MUTILATION AND SUICIDAL-BEHAVIOR IN BORDERLINE PERSONALITY-DISORDER

The relationship of self-mutilation to suicidal behavior was studied i n 108 borderline inpatients (defined by the Diagnostic Interview for B orderline Patients). Patients with histories of self-mutilation were c ompared to those with no self-mutilation on diagnostic comorbidity, sy mptom patterns, prior suicidal behaviors, and attempt characteristics, including number of attempts, seriousness of intent, and medical leth ality. Self-mutilation was found in 63% of patients, suicidal attempts in 75.7%. Patients with self-mutilation were significantly younger an d more symptomatic than controls, and had more serious suicidal ideati on and recent suicide attempts. On the DIB they had significantly more manipulative suicide threat or effort, depersonalization and drug-fre e hallucinations or delusions. They tended toward more depression and schizotypal symptoms but less anger and assaultiveness compared to non -mutilating patients. Histories of manipulative suicide attempts were characteristic of self mutilating patients; however, self mutilation w as not associated with increased seriousness of intent or lethality of suicide attempts.