Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents

Saundra Stock, MD

SuicideSuicide

CDC - 17% of adolescents think about suicide each year

Thoughts of death part of MDE

3rd leading cause of death in adolescents about 2,000 deaths per year

25% decline in suicide rate in 10-19 year range in past decade

Suicide attempts often impulsive in nature

FDA warningFDA warning FDA reviewed 23 studies with 9 different meds -

> 4,300 pts NO SUICIDES in these studies Adverse events reporting - SI or potentially

dangerous behavior reported by 4% of pts on meds vs. 2% on placebo

17 of 23 studies asked about SI - no new SI or worsening of SI, actually decreased during treatment

Meta Analysis of 27 RCTs with SSRIsMeta Analysis of 27 RCTs with SSRIs

Studies were for MDD, OCD and non-OCD anxiety

For MDD – NNT = 10– NNH = 112

More effective and less SEs when treating OCD or non-OCD anxiety

JAMA 2007

Suicide and SSRIsSuicide and SSRIs

FDA black box warning for risk of suicide for all ages with ALL antidepressants

Need to advise families about this risk and give crisis info

FDA recommended – Weekly contact the first 4 weeks– Every other week through week 12– As indicated after week 12

Suicide and SSRIsSuicide and SSRIs

FDA changed black box warning from specific monitoring to more general one

All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of a course of drug therapy, or at times of dose changes, either increases or decreases.

Treating Adol Suicide Attempters Study Treating Adol Suicide Attempters Study (TASA)(TASA)

Youth Most likely to re-attempt suicide Higher level of suicidal thoughts Higher level self report of depressive sx’s esp

hopelessness and anxiety 2 or more prior attempts Low lethality of index attempt H/o maltreatment Low family cohesion

Avg time to re-attempt 6 weeks

MDD trials

ADAPT, TADS and TORDIA have not shown great results for CBT in reducing risk of suicide attempts or NSSI

Family therapy may be helpful Groups CBT and DBT, perhaps some

reduction in risk

General advice for families regarding SIGeneral advice for families regarding SI No firearms in home Limit access to medication including over the counter

meds Remove access to parent’s medications Remove razors from bathroom or other sharps Increase supervision (e.g. keep doors open, limit peer

contact to with adults present)

Importance of seeking help if suicidal thoughts develop or worsen

Crisis numbers (234-1234), emergency room resources and 911

NSSI and link to suicide Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in

adolescents 90% of youth who suicide have a psychiatric

disorder– The largest group (35%) have MDD– Previous self harm is present in 40% of youth

who suicide Several large studies now with youth and

MDD looking at treatment options and outcomes: TADS, TORDIA, ADAPT

TORDIA and SI/NSSI

354 youth with MDD– 23.9% NSSI baseline– 9.5% SA– 14% NSSI + SI

Over 24 weeks 13% with NSSI made a suicide attempt vs 3% with prior SA

11% had NSSI over the 24 weeks (more common than a SA

Predictors of SA were NSSI and hopelessness

Tordia studyTordia studyJAMA 2008JAMA 2008

Pts ages 12-18 failed

2month SSRI trialN= 334

Pts ages 12-18 failed

2month SSRI trialN= 334

Switch SSRIsParoxetineFluoxetineCitalopram

Switch SSRIsParoxetineFluoxetineCitalopram

Switch SSRI + add CBT

Switch SSRI + add CBT

Switch to venlafaxineSwitch to

venlafaxine

Switch to venlafaxine +

CBT

Switch to venlafaxine +

CBT

Better outcome 54.8%

Better outcome 54.8%

Better outcome 54.8%

Better outcome 54.8%

47% improved47% improved

48.2% improved

48.2% improved

Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI) Intentional destruction of one’s body tissue

without suicidal intent & for purposes which are not socially sanctioned

Common methods: 70%-90% of people who self-injure engage in

skin cutting, scraping, or carving21-44% banging, bruising, and self-hitting15-35% burning

Klonsky, E. David; Muehlenkamp, Jennifer J.; Lewis, Stephen P.; Walsh, Barent (2012-06-25). Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (Advances in Psychotherapy, Evidence Based Practice)

NonSuicidal Self-Injury “Condition for further study” in DSM 5

A. 5 or more episodes in 1 yearB. 2 or more

• Preceded by negative affect• Prior to engaging in the act, a period of preoccupation

with the intended behavior that is difficult to resist.• The urge to engage in self-injury occurs frequently,

although it might not be acted upon• The activity is engaged in with a purpose; maybe relief

from a negative feeling/cognitive state or interpersonal difficulty or induction of a positive feeling state. The patient anticipates these will occur either during or immediately following the self-injury.

C. Behavior and consequences cause distressD. Not exclusively during intoxication or psychosis

Epidemiology 10-15% teens have self-injured at least once

– Most studies find 6-8% of teens and young adults reporting current, chronic self-injury

– More common in clinical populations

Self-injury typically begins at ages 12-15 years M=F lifetime rates, however females may

engage in NSSI more often Females tend to cut; Males hit or bang More comon in Hispanic or Native American in

US studies. UK study found more in Asian decent

Biology – little is known

Endogenous opioids (mixed evidence)– Released with physical injury and may explain

positive emotions and limited pain– Studies with naloxone (opioid antagonist)

negative Serotonin: animal models with low

serotonin engage in self injury. Also low with aggression and suicidal behavior

? Dopamine: reduced in Lesch-Nyhan No differences on phsiologic measures of

emotional responses compared to controls

Course and Prognosis

Occurs with a wide range of diagnoses Few longitudinal studies of NSSI exist Questions to be answered:

– How many people stop NSSI and when?– Is NSSI a precursor to specific mental disorders?– How often does it lead to suicidal behavior?

Some information on NSSI and sucide attempts from several large studies on depression in adolescents

TORDIA and SI/NSSI

354 youth with MDD– 23.9% NSSI baseline– 9.5% SA– 14% NSSI + SI

Over 24 weeks 13% with NSSI made a suicide attempt vs 3% with prior SA

11% had NSSI over the 24 weeks Predictors of SA were NSSI & hopelessness

ADAPT study

Original trial N=208 British teens with moderate to severe depression randomized to SSRI or SSRI + 12 weeks of CBT.

Outcome at 28 weeks found no difference btwn treatment groups.

Subsequent analysis looked at those at risk for suicide attempt

ADAPT study N= 163 teens 11-17 yrs Suicide attempt in 28 week f/u period

– 30% made a SA, lower each month – Risk factors: +SI, depression severity, hopelessness,

NSSI or SA in the month before baseline and impaired family functioning

NNSI– 37% had self injury, lower each month– Risk factors: NSSI in month prior to study, depression

severity, anxiety, hopelessness, female and younger age

ADAPT: suicide attempts & self injury

N= 163 teens 11 to17 years (mean age 14) Avg 67 weeks of depression

– CDI score mean 59.9 One month prior to the study

– 28 (17%) had made SA – 58 (36%) had engaged in NSSI

During the 28 weeks of the study– 50 (30%) youth made a SA– 60 (37%) youth engaged in NSSI

ADAPT study results

Suicide– NSSI a stronger predictor of suicide attempt than

a prior suicide attempt– 10 fold greater risk of suicide attempt than those

who had no self injury and good family functioning

NSSI– 36% had NSSI the month prior to the study and

37% engaged in NSSI during the study period.– Most significant predictor of subsequent self

injury was prior self injury

ADAPT self-injury

Compared with suicidality, self-injury over the 24 week follow- up period was associated with a different pattern of predictors. – Poor family functioning was not associated with

self-injury (but was associated with suicide attempts)

– Hopelessness & anxiety disorder at baseline along with being both younger and female, were associated with self-injury but not with suicidality.

ADAPT suicide risk factors

A higher risk of suicide attempt during follow-up significantly associated with suicidality, depression severity, hopelessness, the presence of a suicide attempt or self- injury in the month before baseline, and impaired family functioning

Multiple logistical regression revealed impaired family functioning and self injury were significantly associated with suicide attempt

ROC4 analysis showed self-injury to be the strongest predictor of suicide attempt

Assessment of NSSI: implications for intervention

Age of onset Methods used for NSSI & access to those

materials Frequency & interval from thoughts to action Last self-injury Location of injury and medical severity Thoughts before, during and after NSSI Function of behavior (intra or interpersonal)

Assessment measures

Self-Injurious thoughts and behavior interview (SITBI)

Suicide Attempt Self Injury Interview SASII (Linehan)

Suicide Behavior Questionairre (SBQ Linehan)

Both Linehan assessment items online at

http://blogs.uw.edu/brtc/publications-assessment-instruments/

Concern for teens: all ask specifics about actions which they may not have thought of yet

Function of NSSI Most common are INTRApersonal reasons

1. To regulate emotions• Release emotions, calm down, stop numb feelings

• Reduces high arousal emotions (anger, anxiety, frustration) more than low arousal (i.e. sadness)

2. Self punishment

Sometimes INTERpersonal– Interpersonal influence: “letting others know

how I feel” “getting back at someone” or getting out of repsonsibilties

– Peer bonding: “fitting in”

Interventions for NSSI

Few studies in adolescents looking at strictly NSSI

Therapy that focuses on:– Emotion regulation– Problem solving– Improved self esteem

DBT, CBT or problem based

Research has repeatedly documented that people who engage in NSSI have more frequent & intense negative emotions as well as poorer global emotion regulation skills

Level of intervention

Ongoing monitirong only might be appropriate if: only 1-2 episodes of NSSI

Outpatient TX: consider if > episodes of NSSI, intrapersonal reasons, multiple methods used, SI present at times, NSSI performed alone

Inpatient TX: high frequency/urgency to thoughts or NSSI, high medical severity, ongoing +SI present as well

Improving Emotion Regulation

Several therapies which accomplish this Essential components:

– Emotion psychoeducation• Label emotions, context they occur and function

served including adpative aspect of + and – emotions

– Reducing emotional vulnerabilities • Sleep, eating and exercising

– Improving distress tolerance• Distraction or relaxation techniques; replacements

if needed

– Increasing positive emotional experiences

Problem Solving

Typical steps include:– Identifying the problem– Identifying the goal– Generating/brainstorming solutions– Evaluating solutions and potential outcomes– Implementing a solution– Reassessing effectiveness after

implementation

Problem Solving

Nock 2008 found adolescents with NSSI generated as many options to problems as adolescents without NSSI

Adolescents with NSSI selected negative options more often

Adolescents with NSSI rated their self-efficacy lower

Therefore, may need more focus on later steps in problem solving for youth with NSSI

Nock: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2008, Vol. 76, No. 1, 28–38

Interpersonal skills: a means to increase self esteem/self efficacy

Less effective at communication skills and seeking help from others

People experience increased social support following self-injury (including suicide attempts)

One study with preadolescents found improved father-child relationship in the 18months following NSSI

Family therapy: high levels of parental expressed emotions and criticism for adol with NSSI (N=36)

New directions:Motivational interviewing

Suggested as a means to help reduce NSSI 5 core elements for therapy

– Expressing empathy

– Avoiding argumentation (not insisting on as a target based on person’s interest in change)

– Rolling with resistance

– Supporting self-effcicacy

– Developing discrepancy (help pt ID that there is a gap from where they are & want to be)

References

Bridge JA, Goldstein TR, Brent DA: Adolescent suicide and suicidal behavior. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2006; 47:372–394

Cavanagh JT, Carson AJ, Sharpe M, Lawrie SM: Psychological autopsy studies of suicide: a systematic review. Psychol Med 2003; 33:395–405

Cooper J, Kapur N, Webb R, Lawlor M, Guthrie E, Mackway-Jones K, Appleby L: Suicide after deliberate self-harm: a 4-year cohort study. Am J Psychiatry 2005; 162:297–303

Glenn CR Emotional Reactivity in Nonsuicidal Self-injury: Divergence Between Self-Report and Startle Measures Int J Psychophysiol 2011 May 80(2): 166-170I

Brent DA et al. Predictors of spontaneous and systematically assessed suicidal adverse events in the Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA) study. Am J Psychiatry 2009; 166:418–426

Goodyer I et al Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and routine specialist care with and without cognitive behaviour therapy in adolescents with major depression: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2007; 335:142

References

Wilkinson P et al. Clinical and Psychosocial Predictors of Suicide Attempts and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in the Adolescent Depression Antidepressants and Psychotherapy Trial (ADAPT) Am J Psych Feb 2012

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (Advances in Psychotherapy, Evidence Based Practice) Klonsky, E. David; Muehlenkamp, Jennifer J.; Lewis, Stephen P.; Walsh, Barent (2012-06-25).

Nock MK, Mendes WB. Physiological Arousal, Distress Tolerance, and Social Problem–Solving Deficits Among Adolescent Self-InjurersJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2008, Vol. 76, No. 1, 28–38

Wedig MM and Nock MK Parental Expressed Emotion and Adolescent Self-Injury J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2007;46(9):1171Y1178.