Citation

Bouch J, Marshall JJ. Adv. Psychiatr. Treat. 2005; 11(2): 84-91.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/apt.11.2.84

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Patient risk factors for suicide are well known to psychiatrists, yet the availability of clinically useful, routine and systematic methods for risk recognition are limited. This article outlines the structured professional judgement approach to suicide risk assessment and management. This method combines psychiatric assessment and formulation with the evidence base for suicide risk factors. Structured professional judgement is contrasted with actuarial and clinical judgement approaches. A categorisation of risk factors is presented, with four groups described - static, stable, dynamic and future. Case histories illustrate long-term high risk contrasted with sudden and unpredictable onset of suicidality.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; forensic psychiatry; mortality; suicidal behavior; risk assessment; prediction; accuracy; risk factor; substance abuse; article; mental disease; mental health care; neuroleptic agent; hospital admission; self poisoning; medical decision making; psychotropic agent; emotion; problem solving; patient compliance; hospital discharge; akathisia; risk management; psychosocial disorder; paranoid schizophrenia; high risk patient; evidence based medicine; clinical examination; dextropropoxyphene plus paracetamol; individualization