Abstract

The patient who is in hospital after an episode of deliberate self-harm is at risk both of non-fatal repetition (20% in the following year) and of successful suicide later (1–2% in the next year).^{8 9} Most patients admitted to hospital after self-poisoning are under 25, living unharmoniously with others and nearly all show personality difficulties rather than mental illness.^{10 11} This article attempts to guide the hospital doctor in the assessment and treatment of such patients.