Citation

Tauch D, Winkel S, Quante A. Int. J. Psychiatry Clin. Prac. 2014; 18(2): 118-124.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/13651501.2013.865756

PMID

24236906

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to determine the frequency and distribution of suicide attempts according to the patients' characteristics and type of suicide attempt as well as the method of treatment proposed by the consultation liaison service in a general hospital. METHODS: This retrospective naturalistic study covers a one year period (2012), during which n=51 suicide attempters were hospitalised in the Charité Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Germany. The following data were analysed: method of suicide, account of prior psychiatric history and medication, as well as the acute psychiatric diagnosis and treatment - including pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: Most of the patients were diagnosed with a psychiatric illness. Major depressive disorder was the most frequent diagnosis in consultation. Treatment recommendations more often entailed further psychiatric treatment than medication. In the cases where medication was indeed given, benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the suicide attempters needed further therapy in psychiatric hospitals. A specialized pharmacotherapy (anti-depressants, mood stabilizers) was rarely recommended by the psychiatric consultation service. The psychiatric consultation and therapy recommendations are important in guiding future acute treatment procedures.

Language: en