De ropar efter hjälp,vi är vanmäktiga: Tt vårda patienter med självskadebeteende i rättspsykiatrisk vård

Abstract

Introduction:

This study addresses self-injury among patients receiving care in forensic psychiatry.

Background:

Self-injury is common among patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder with elements of depression and schizophrenia. Self-injury affects both the patient as well as their surroundings.

Objective:

To describe nurses' experiences of caring for patients with self-injurious behavior in forensic psychiatric care.

Method:

A qualitative approach was applied. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight nurses. The data were thereafter analysed with an inductive and manifest content analysis.

Results:

The results are presented according to two categories: ‘caring that evokes emotions' and ‘caring that requires teamwork’.

Discussion:

In the present study, we demonstrate a duplicitous problem in which carers are divided over what is expected of them as responsible and professional caregivers and their perceived lack of skills and their frustration.

Conclusion:

Viewing self-injury as a complex expression of mental illness, we recommend that further research is needed in this area — especially in the forensic psychiatric care context, where long term health care relationships are involved.