Psychiatric assessment of self-poisoning

Abstract

Self-poisoning accounts for a significant number of attendances to acute services. It can occur at any age. The reasons that lead someone to self-poison are variable and individual. It is often a manifestation of distress. Women are more likely to present, or die, after overdose than men, although men are more likely to die by suicide overall. Self-harm, including self-poisoning, is a strong risk factor and antecedent to suicide. Psychosocial assessment offers an important opportunity to intervene and should be undertaken by a clinician with appropriate training; this should be collaborative where possible and lead to the identification and formulation of relevant risk factors to guide management. The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence advises against the use of risk assessment tools and scales and risk stratification, and recommends that the focus of the assessment should be on the person's needs and how to support their immediate and long-term psychological and physical safety.