Citation

Portzky G, van Heeringen CK. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 56.

Affiliation

Unit for Suicide Research - University Gent, University Hospital- De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium. gwendolyn.portzky@ugent.be.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16963943

Abstract

There is little empirical data regarding the suicidal process in suicide victims. This study examined the onset, course and duration of the suicidal process in young people by means of a psychological autopsy study and compared the suicidal process in young suicide victims with and those without a history of previous suicide attempts. A second aim of the study was to examine possible differences in the suicidal process associated with mental health disorders. The results showed that in the total group of suicide victims the average duration of the suicidal process, from first indications of suicidal ideation to completed suicide, was 29 months. Two different types of suicidal process were identified in suicide victims; one short process without a history of attempted suicide and one longer process with previous suicide attempts. Results also indicated that the suicidal process was significantly shorter in cases diagnosed with adjustment disorder compared to cases diagnosed with other disorders. This study suggests that there are some important differences in the suicidal process between suicide victims with and without a history of attempted suicide. There are also indications that the suicidal process in suicide victims diagnosed with adjustment disorder appears to be short and rapidly evolving without any prior indications of emotional or behavioural problems which underlines the importance of assessing suicidal risk in patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder.

Language: en