Treatment as usual (TAU) as a control condition in trials of cognitive behavioural-based psychotherapy for self-harm: Impact of content and quality on outcomes in a systematic review

Self-harm, defined as intentional self-injury or intentional drug overdoses irrespective of level of suicidal intent or type or degree of motivation (Hawton et al., 2003; NICE, 2011). It is a growing problem in many countries worldwide. In England alone, for example, there are now more than 200,000 emergency department presentations for self-harm each year (Hawton et al., 2007). Self-harm is also frequently repeated. Up to one-quarter of patients who present to hospital following an episode of self-harm will return to the same hospital within one year following a repeat episode (Carroll et al., 2014; Owens et al., 2002).

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders - April 4, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Katrina Witt, Daniela Pache de Moraes, Tatiana Taylor Salisbury, Ella Arensman, David Gunnell, Philip Hazell, Ellen Townsend, Kees van Heeringen, Keith Hawton Tags: Review article Source Type: research