The authors studied 30 patients treated at an urban trauma center for
self-inflicted gunshot wounds, most or all of which would have been fatal
without emergency treatment. About half the patients had used alcohol or
drugs immediately before wounding themselves, and slightly more than half
had experienced interpersonal conflict just before the incident. Thirteen
of the 30 were women. Only nine were given diagnoses of major depressive
episode or dysthymia; none of the patients had written suicide notes. These
data indicate that the reported demographic and clinical characteristics of
impulsive, violent self- injury must be reexamined.Abstract Teaser