Management of Suicide Risk

In the field, your biggest challenge* with behavioral abnormalities in psychosis will be in preventing suicide.

*aside from addressing the medical complications arising from suicide attempt.

RISK FACTORS:

The psychiatric disorders most commonly associated with suicide include:

Depression

The major cause of suicide is untreated or inadequately treated depression, which is in 90% of those attempting suicide.

• bipolar disorder
• alcoholism or other substance abuse
• schizophrenia.

Of those completing suicide, 95% have a psychiatric diagnosis.

The symptoms most commonly associated with suicide include:

 Previous suicide attempt

The strongest single factor predictive of suicide is prior history of attempted suicide.

• ideation or defined lethal plan of action which has been verbalized and/or written
• alcohol and substance abuse
• chronic pain
• purposelessness
• anxiety
• agitation
• unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• feeling trapped, no way out, or hopelessness
• withdrawal from friends, family and society
• anger and/or aggressive tendencies
• recklessness or engaging in risky activities
• dramatic mood changes
• history of trauma or abuse
• some major physical illness (cancer, CHF, etc.)
• job or financial loss
• relationship or social loss
• easy access to lethal means
• lack of social support and sense of isolation
• certain cultural and religious beliefs
• male gender
• Age between 35 and 50