Psychiatric Disorders (Axis I and Axis II) and Self-Immolation: A Case–Control Study from Iran*

Alireza Ahmadi M.D.

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

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Reza Mohammadi M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.,

Reza Mohammadi M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

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David C. Schwebel Ph.D.,

David C. Schwebel Ph.D.

Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL.

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Naser Yeganeh M.D.,

Naser Yeganeh M.D.

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

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Mehdi Hassanzadeh M.D.,

Mehdi Hassanzadeh M.D.

Tehran Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research Centre, Division of Community Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

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Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi Ph.D.,

Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi Ph.D.

Department of Psychology, College of Medicine at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, & David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.

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Alireza Ahmadi M.D.,

Alireza Ahmadi M.D.

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

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Reza Mohammadi M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.,

Reza Mohammadi M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

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David C. Schwebel Ph.D.,

David C. Schwebel Ph.D.

Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL.

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Naser Yeganeh M.D.,

Naser Yeganeh M.D.

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

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Mehdi Hassanzadeh M.D.,

Mehdi Hassanzadeh M.D.

Tehran Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research Centre, Division of Community Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

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Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi Ph.D.,

Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi Ph.D.

Department of Psychology, College of Medicine at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, & David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.

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First published: 01 March 2010

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01268.x

Citations: 19

Additional information and reprint requests:
Alireza Ahmadi, M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management
Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
Kermanshah 6718818838
Iran
E-mail: [email protected]

Financial support for this project was provided by the Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

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Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate preexisting psychiatric disorders in self-immolation patients. In a case–control study, 30 consecutive cases of deliberate self-inflicted burns, admitted to the regional burn center, were compared with 30 controls. Mental disorders were assessed via detailed clinical interview. Descriptive data revealed that 67% of self-immolation patients had adjustment disorder (all female), 10% drug and alcohol abuse/dependence (all male), 7% dysthymia, 3% major depression, 3% anorexia nervosa, 3% primary insomnia, 7% borderline personality disorder (50% male), 7% depressive personality disorder (100% female), and 3% antisocial personality disorder. In bivariate comparisons, adjustment disorders emerged as related to risk of self-immolation (odds ratio = 13.00). This study suggests that adjustment disorder is a risk factor for self-immolation. As a result, it has been suggested that increasing education about problem-solving approaches, and coping skills for females and at-risk groups are appropriate prevention programs and strategies in Iranian communities.

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Psychiatric Disorders (Axis I and Axis II) and Self-Immolation: A Case–Control Study from Iran*

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