While the findings can be seen as reassuring because self-harming behavior tends to stop in early adulthood, that is not to say it is not a significant problem that needs to be addressed.
"It has to be taken seriously," Dr. Hawton said in an interview. In the United Kingdom, guidelines on self-harm issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence state that a psychosocial assessment must be performed.
Clinicians faced with an adolescent who has self-harmed should first assess the severity of the incident, Dr. Hawton advised. It is also important to try to determine what the individual’s intentions were at the time, such as if they were suicidal, wanting to punish themselves, or perhaps just wanting to relieve tension.
"Assess levels of depression and anxiety, look at what is going on in their lives, such as problems they are currently facing, and I would also ask about media involvement and use of the Internet," Dr. Hawton said. Exposure to friends or other individuals who are self-harming may also be important, as is the willingness to receive help.
The National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia supported the study. Dr. Moran runs a clinical service for people who self harm as part of the U.K. National Health Service. He has also been a member of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guideline development group on self-harm. Dr. Boyce is a senior editor at the Lancet. Dr. Patton and Dr. Hawton had no conflicts of interest.