Attempted Suicide Flashcards
If someone presented after a suicide attempt, what would you want to ask them about?
The Event
The future
Further questions to assess risk
- Depression
- Psychosis
- PMH
- DH
- FH
- Social
What would you want to ask about the circumstances leading up to the event of an attempted suicide?
- Life events
- Depression
- Planning
- Suicide note
- Precautions - to avoid being detected
What would you want to ask about the circumstances of an attempted suicide during the event?
- Intention - intend to die or cry for help?
- When and where
- Alcohol/drug intoxication
- How did they do it?
- How were they discovered
What would you ask about in relation to an attempted suicide after the event?
- Feelings now
- Angry/regretful
- Current mood
What would you want to talk about in terms of the future in someone who as attemped to commit suicide?
- Protective factors - positives in life, what might stop them
- Future feelings - how do they feel about the future, if they go back whats going to happen
- Future plans - future suicide plans, positive plans
What would you ask about in a suicide history when screening for depression?
- Low mood
- Anhedonia
- Low energy
- Appetite
- Concentration
- Guilt
- Sleep
- Hopelessness
What are risk factors for suicide?
Demographics - Male, old/young
Current situation
- Unemployed
- Homeless
- Depressed
- Lack of social support
- Significant life events
History
- Chronic illness
- Psych disorder
- Previous attempts
- Drugs/alcohol
What would you want to ask about in the social history for someone who has presented with an attempted suicide?
- Drug/alcohol use
- Social stresses
- Relationship/support network
- Jobs
- Living situation
- Hobbies
What would you want to ask as part of a psychosis screen for someone with an attempted suicide?
- Auditory hallucinations
- Running commentary
- Delusions of thought/control/perception
