Citation

Praško J. Psychiatr. 2008; 12(1): 43-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Tigis S R O)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide is a complex human behavior with biological, sociological, and psychological roots. It is the eighth most frequent cause of death for adults and the second leading cause of death for persons between ages 15 and 24. Suicide rates tend to peak during the late spring and have a smaller secondary peak in the fall. More than 90% of suicide completers had a major psychiatric illness and half were clinically depressed at the time of the act. Nearly one-third of suicides occur in persons with chronic alcoholism; schizophrenia, anxiety disorders. About 5% of suicide completers have serious physical illness at the time of suicide. The clinician should be alert to the possibility of suicide in any psychiatric patient, especially a patient who is depressed or has a depressed affect. Most suicidal patients are willing to discuss their thoughts with a psychiatrist if asked, but are often fearful and even feel guilty about having suicidal thoughts. Giving the patient an opportunity to discuss them may itself provide relief. The physician should approach the topic of suicide in a slow and tactful manner, after having developed rapport with the patient. Patients who have developed well.-thought- out plans and have the means to carry them out require protection, usually in a hospital on a locked psychiatric unit. Once the patient's safety has been ensured, treatment of the underlying illness can begin. When the patient receives treatment as an outpatient, close follow-up is mandatory.

Language: cs

Keywords

human; Risk; suicide; Suicide; Hospitalization; Therapeutic alliance; depression; schizophrenia; Assessment; patient safety; review; mental disease; age distribution; anxiety disorder; mental patient; follow up; psychiatric treatment; Medication; Clinical management; alcohol psychosis