Self-harm in older people with depression: comparison of social factors, life events and symptoms.

Studying non-fatal self-harm in older adults may provide insight into suicidal behaviour in this age group. The objectives of the study were to determine clinical factors that might help to differentiate those older adults with depression who are most at risk of self-harm and suicide. We examined social factors, life events, hopelessness and other depression symptoms in a group of 48 older people with depression referred following an episode of self-harm compared with 50 similarly aged people with depression who had no history of self-harm. The groups were similar in many respects, although those in the self-harm group were more likely to have a poorly integrated social network and were more hopeless.

The experience of motherhood in women with severe and enduring mental illness.

BACKGROUND: This study considers the experience of motherhood of women who are patients of the rehabilitation services in Leicester. METHOD: Data were collected from case notes, by semi-structured interviews with all women identified as mothers, and by enquiries with key workers on demographic characteristics, number of children, contact with and separations from these children, and other relationships. RESULTS: Fifty-eight women had 122 children. Of the mothers, 68 % were permanently separated from at least one child before the age of 18 years, and often had little or no subsequent contact with them. There was also attrition of other important relationships. There was scanty documentation about these issues in medical notes. CONCLUSION: Many women in long-term psychiatric care have experienced multiple losses. Clinicians should be mindful of this.