Citation

Wolfersdorf MG, Faust V, Hölzer R. Schweiz Arch. Neurol. Psychiatr. 1992; 143(6): 485-495.

Vernacular Title

Suizide im Raum Ravensburg/Oberschwaben. Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung von 508

Affiliation

Abteilung Psychiatrie I, Universität Ulm, Ravensburg-Weissenau.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Zeitschriften)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1283028

Abstract

On the basis of criminal police files we studied 508 suicides which happened between 1970 up to 1981 in the Ravensburg area in southern Germany. The police files also included medical records about in- or outpatient psychiatric treatment and also data about former violent behaviour. Mental disease as follows were most frequent: Depression 66% (diagnoses were made according to IDC-0 by two doctors under supervision of two senior psychiatrists; ICD-9: 300.4, 309.0 and 309.1 22%, ICD-9 296.1, 296.3 7.1% of the entire suicide group); neuroses and personality disorders 19%, addition, especially alcoholism, 28%. No psychiatric diagnosis could be made retrospectively in 10.6% (54 suicides). Sign in the presuicidal development like depressive symptoms, hopelessness and feelings of having no future, sleeping disturbances, feelings of guilt and anxiety, inner restlessness, but also changes in the direction of serenity and relaxation, treats of suicidal behaviour and reactions of the family and environment were reported showing a broad span of reactions from lack of perception to wrong interpretation. 15% of the suicides had also criminal activities in their former history. From a psychiatric point of view, improved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the treatment of the mentally ill, especially in the field of outpatient medical care of depressive and addictive patients, and better information of the relatives is to be demanded in order to prevent suicides.

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