Treating self-mutilatory behavior: a social strategy

Journal/Book: Family Systems Medicine. 1988; 6: 5-19.

Abstract: Suicidal and self-mutilatory behavior in a psychaitric hospital is considered from a systemic perspective. Women who mutilate themselves, even in a context of mental illness, are seen as deviant by their carers. When a positive attitude is taken to such women then the situation changes for the better. Furthermore, a hidden conflict between staff groups, and hierarchical conflict between doctor and nurse managers is expressed in patient behavior. Several strategies for reducing self-destructive, mutilatory or suicidal behavior are proposed.

Keyword(s): suicidal-behavior, self-mutilation, psychiatry, family-therapy, systems-approach.

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