Treatment Study for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | November 2013 |
| End Date: | December 2015 |
Exploring Two Emotion-Focused Treatment Modules in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
The overall aim of this study is to begin establishing an effective treatment for
individuals who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), as there are currently no
evidence-based treatments that directly target this problematic behavior. Existing
treatments that have demonstrated initial promise in reducing NSSI consist of many skills
embedded in complex programs; therefore, the skill(s) responsible for improvements in NSSI
are not clear. Procedures that focus on one's emotions, particularly that aim to increase
emotional awareness and engagement in cognitive reappraisal (i.e., a way of thinking that
lessens emotions), may be critical in effective NSSI treatment. The specific goals of this
study are to investigate the effects of two specific emotion-focused treatment elements on
NSSI. Participants will be ten individuals who meet the proposed Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association) criteria
for NSSI disorder and engage in NSSI to reduce or escape from negative emotions. Two core
modules of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP;
Barlow et al., 2011) will be adapted and delivered with the aim of reducing participants'
non-suicidal self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. Each treatment module will consist of
four 50-minute individual weekly sessions of emotion awareness training or cognitive
reappraisal. The study will use a single-case experimental design, and phase change will be
determined based on each participant's changes in non-suicidal self-injurious thoughts and
behaviors.
individuals who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), as there are currently no
evidence-based treatments that directly target this problematic behavior. Existing
treatments that have demonstrated initial promise in reducing NSSI consist of many skills
embedded in complex programs; therefore, the skill(s) responsible for improvements in NSSI
are not clear. Procedures that focus on one's emotions, particularly that aim to increase
emotional awareness and engagement in cognitive reappraisal (i.e., a way of thinking that
lessens emotions), may be critical in effective NSSI treatment. The specific goals of this
study are to investigate the effects of two specific emotion-focused treatment elements on
NSSI. Participants will be ten individuals who meet the proposed Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association) criteria
for NSSI disorder and engage in NSSI to reduce or escape from negative emotions. Two core
modules of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP;
Barlow et al., 2011) will be adapted and delivered with the aim of reducing participants'
non-suicidal self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. Each treatment module will consist of
four 50-minute individual weekly sessions of emotion awareness training or cognitive
reappraisal. The study will use a single-case experimental design, and phase change will be
determined based on each participant's changes in non-suicidal self-injurious thoughts and
behaviors.
Inclusion Criteria:
- At least 18 years old
- Engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to reduce or lessen negative thoughts or
feelings
- Not taking psychotropic medications, or meet criteria for stability on a particular
dose and are willing to maintain a stable dosage throughout the study
- Meet the proposed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition
(DSM-5) criteria for NSSI disorder, which includes:
1. five or more days in which the individual has engaged in NSSI in the past year
2. NSSI is associated with at least two two of the following: psychological
precipitant (e.g., negative feelings or thoughts), urge prior to the act,
preoccupation with NSSI, contingent response (e.g., expectation that the act
will relieve a negative feeling state)
3. clinically significant distress or interference caused by NSSI or its
consequences
4. NSSI does not occur exclusively during states of psychosis, delirium, or
intoxication
5. absence of suicidal intent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current suicidal ideation and intent
- Currently receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or any psychotherapy to
address NSSI, anxiety, depression, or other Axis I disorders (and are not willing to
discontinue that treatment)
- Unwilling to refrain from initiating additional treatment during the course of the
study
- Current or very recent symptoms that warrant immediate clinical attention,
alternative treatment, and/or a higher level of care that cannot be provided through
the study (e.g., florid delusions or hallucinations, rapid mood state, severe manic
symptoms)
- Current or recent (within 3 months) history of substance use disorder (exception
would be marijuana, caffeine, nicotine)
- Emotional symptomatology is due to a medical/physical condition
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