Behandling av selvskade – hva virker, og hva virker ikke?

Abstract

Self-harm is increasing in several countries and especially among young girls. The aim of this article is to present
broad knowledge on treatment of self-harm. Results from randomized control studies and effect studies, knowledge
from psychotherapy research, and findings from qualitative studies are presented to discuss if some treatment models or
interventions are better than others. It is underlined that some treatment models show effect but, still, unclear how specific
and common treatment factors, and common elements across treatment models, have an effect on treatment outcome. The importance of exploring the function of self-harm in the patient’s everyday life is underlined. Treatment models may in different degree highlight self-harm as affect regulation
and focus on alternative coping strategies, or a way to represent and communicate and focus on finding ways to express
experiences, or as existential and relational exploration and focus on trust in the therapeutic relationship. A heterogenic
perspective on research methods, treatment models and the function of self-harm is of importance to understand a
complex phenomenon as self-harm. A diversity in interventions and focus of treatment should be weighted in every
treatment process because patients are different. Findings on self-harm should be related to developmental challenges
during adolescence and sociocultural factors to understand.
the increase of self-harm among youths in general, and young
girls specifically.