Citation

Bertolote JM, De Mello-Santos C, Botega NJ. Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr. 2010; 32(Suppl 2): 587-595.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Associacao Brasileira de Psiquiatria)

DOI

10.1590/S1516-44462010000600005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidelines for the identification of suicide risk and protective factors and the management of suicidal patients in emergency settings.

METHOD: Literature review to identify relevant and illustrative key cases.

RESULTS: The clinical interview is the best method to evaluate the suicidal risk and has a twofold purpose: 1) providing emotional support and creating a bond; 2) collecting information. There is a substantial amount of information to be collected during the clinical interview, including risk and protective factors, epidemiologic data, characterization of the event, psychodynamic aspects, personal and family history, identification models, data on physical health, and social support network. Difficulties can emerge during the clinical interview, but a trained and informed professional will be able to approach and adequately deal with the patient. Although several scales have been proposed, none of them have shown reliable efficiency in determining the suicidal risk.

CONCLUSION: There is no method to predict who is going to commit suicide; nevertheless, it is possible to evaluate the individual risk of each patient by means of a detailed and empathic clinical interview. Keeping the patient alive is the first and fundamental rule.

Language: es

Keywords

human; age; gender; sexual abuse; alcoholism; suicidal ideation; depression; schizophrenia; social support; health; suicide attempt; sexual minority; hospitalization; disease severity; social isolation; unemployment; risk factor; hopelessness; pregnancy; review; substance abuse; personality disorder; marriage; life satisfaction; medical record; psychologic test; intelligence; emotional attachment; patient information; anxiety disorder; religion; emergency health service; family history; employment; psychosocial care; health practitioner; organic brain syndrome; adjustment disorder; heredity; somatoform disorder