Identification and Treatment of NSSI Behaviors

in College Age Students

Kris Vandenberg DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BCAssistant Professor of Nursing

k.vandenberg@unf.edu

Objectives

Objective 1 :

Discuss definition of NSSI and prevalence among college age students

Objective 2 :

Identify assessment and interventional strategies when caring for individuals experiencing NSSI

Objective 3 :

Describe affordable self injury prevention programs based on current evidence based literature

References Available as Handout

Outline of Presentation

Introduction Definition of NSSI Incidence, Prevalence- College Age Students Myths about NSSI. Reasons for self injury

Assessment of NSSI Warning signs Observation, what to look for Communication, questions to ask

Intervention Therapeutic Approaches Pharmacotherapy

Conclusion

Question & Answer

 

Understanding

What is Self Injury (NSSI)?

What constitutes NSSI?

When, Where, How ?

NSSI- What and Why ?

Causing deliberate

harm to oneself

Not a suicide attempt

An unhealthy coping mechanism

What Constitutes NSSI?

Embedding

Why is this Important in College Health?

College Age Student

Struggles of Students

Statistics- vary

Myths about Self Injury

Myth #1: Self Injury = Suicide

Myth #2: Self Injury = Attention-seeking

Myth #3: Self Injury= History of abuse

Assessment

Visualization

Informal Discussions

Formal Assessment

Visualization & Informal Discussions

Frequent Injuries Long pants/shirts Low self esteem Relationship problems Making poor grades Secretive behaviors Substance Abuse Social Isolation Signs of depression

Screening Tool Year Items DescriptionChronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CSDS) 1985 73 Looks at impulsivity, high risk behaviors

Self- Harm Behavior Survey 1986 174 Self harm behaviors, feelings , functions

Self- Injury Survey 1994 31 + Self injury & suicidal ideation

Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation 1997 39 Self injury behaviors

Impulsive & Self Harm Questionnaire 1997 14 Self harm, suicidal ideation (Dissertation)

Self- Injurious Behavior Questionnaire (SIB-Q) 1997 25 Self injury among disabled. (Clinician)

Self- Injury Questionnaire (SIQ) 1997 54 Self Injury behaviors

Timed Self-Injurious Behavior Scale 1997 16 Self Injury among disabled

The Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) 1998 22 Self Injury & detect BPD

Self-Injury Questionnaire (SIQ) 1999 30 Self injury, history childhood trauma

Deliberate Self ham Inventory (DSHI) 2001 17 Destruction of body tissue

Non-Suicidal Self –Injury Assessment Tool (NSSI-AT) 2006 20 Self Injury (on-line )

Adolescent Risk Inventory 2007 33 High risk behaviors & attitudes

Self- Injurious Thoughts & Behavior Interview 2007 -- Structured interview/ Self injury

Smith, B.D. (2008)

Therapeutic Approaches

Recognize Biases

Supportive Listening

Self Injury Log

Teach Coping Skills

Referral -Counseling

Psychopharmacology

Self Injury – Programs/ Sites

Cornell Research Program on Self- Injurious Behaviors

Safe Alternatives

First Signs (UK)

The Self-injury Foundation

Self Injury Awareness Day:

MARCH 1st - every year !

Their words…

Conclusion

Always ask about NSSITherapeuticRefer outTeach copingWatch for infectionBe aware of your own

bias !