Zelfbeschadiging bij kinderen en adolescenten

Self-harm among children and adolescents is a prevalent health issue. Definitions of self-harm differ, and the distinction between attempted suicide or self-harm is often unclear. A recent large population-based cohort study on self-harm among children and adolescents aged 10-29 years showed a sharp increase in the incidence of self-harm, especially in girls aged 13-16 years. It also showed an inequality in treatment offered, depending upon the socio-economic profile of the region in which the patient presented. We illustrate the problem of self-harm by presenting a clinical case, and provide advice on when to suspect self-harm and how to proceed when self-harm is suspected. Furthermore, we show that a similar increase in incidence of self-harm to that which has taken place in the UK has also been signaled in the Netherlands. Self-harm is associated with an increased risk of death by suicide and other causes of unnatural death. Evidence for therapeutic options for self-harm is limited.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.