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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Mental disorders occupy a premier position in the matrix of causation of suicide. Suicidal ideation among psychiatric patients is a less explored topic in India.
AIM: The aim of this study is to study the prevalence and clinical correlates of suicidal ideation in patients attending psychiatry outpatient department (OPD).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the psychiatry outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. Beck's suicide intent scale was used to quantify suicidal ideation. Beck's Hopelessness scale and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale were used to study levels of hopelessness, depression, anxiety, and stress in patients. Groups with and without suicidal ideations were compared on different variables.
RESULTS: Suicidal ideation was present in 36% of psychiatry OPD patients. Out of these 13% patients had previous suicidal attempts. Most of them attempted suicide once. Majority had either fleeting suicidal ideas or passive death wish, with poisoning noted as the most common method of attempted suicide. Suicidal ideation had a statistically significant association with levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Highest stress levels were found in anxiety disorders. Suicidal ideation was commonly observed in patients with depression and other mood disorders and those with previous attempts. More than half of the patients with suicidal ideation never sought help.
CONCLUSION: Increasing levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and hopelessness were associated with increased suicidal ideation. Substance use, history of psychiatric illness, triggering stressor, and low perceived social support were also associated with suicidal ideation in psychiatric patients. © 2022 International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
Language: en |