Os pacientes com automutilação apresentam maior histórico de vivência de traumas e mais comorbidades (Eixo I do DSM) e transtornos de personalidade (Eixo II do DSM) que os pacientes com TOC, sendo as demais características sociodemográficas e clínicas iguais.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: The pattern of drug use among adolescents is not well known. Epidemiologic studies have reported no difference in the prevalence of drug use between genders. The present study wanted to assess the difference in drug use between genders in adolescents. The following variables were assessed: gender ratio of those looking for treatment; age they looked for treatment; age of the first drug use; substances used; with whom they first used drugs; pattern of drug use; possibly-related behavior (illegal acts, problems with the police and school delay). METHODS: Medical records of adolescents treated between 1993 and 2000 in a public medical center of the city São Paulo were analyzed. RESULTS: One-hundred and five medical records of adolescents aged 10 to 17 were reviewed. There were no differences between genders according to: age they looked for treatment; age of the first drug use; substances used; and illegal acts. There was a higher prevalence of male adolescents regarding to problems with the police and school delay. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that the behavioral consequences of drug use in female adolescents are less evident than in male adolescents, what could explain the lower frequency in which female adolescents had specialized treatment.

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IntroductionNon-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) is considered a dysfunctional way of dealing with problem situations.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the problem solving capacity in adults with NSSI compared to controls.MethodsThirty-three patients who sought treatment for NSSI (NSSI group) were compared with 33 individuals without psychiatric disorder (control group). We also investigated Axis I disorders, executive functions and problem solving capacity.ResultsIn both groups, the majority were women (77.25%) with a mean age of 30 years, and the beginning of NSSI behavior of 16 years. The most common NSSI behaviour was skin cutting, and the most common reason given for engaging in that behaviour was “to stop negative feelings”. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were major depressive disorder (60.6%). Compared to controls, the group with NSSI showed lower results in relation to problem solving capacity (P = 0.000) and mental flexibility (P = 0.007). Deficits in problem solving capacity may be a reflection of low mental flexibility of adults with NSSI. This may be a risk factor for the beginning of NSSI and the persistence of it in adulthood.ConclusionEarly identification and treatment focused on problem solving capacity during the adolescence may prevent the chronicity of NSSI.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.