Chapter 11: Suicide Prevention Flashcards
What is suicide? Why does it happen?
It is not diagnosis. It id a behavior.
More than 90% of suicides are by individuals who have a mental disorder
Epidemiological factors
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Majority that takes their lives are white males.
Guns are the 1st cause in America of suicide
Over a million attempt suicide
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study
Links childhood trauma with suicide risk factors and suicide attempts later in life. A score of 7 or higher greatly increases chances of suicide attempt.
Risk factors for suicide
Martial status
Gender
Age.Risk increases with age. Particularly with men.
Religion
SES
Ethnicity
Risk factors for suicide cont.
Psychiatric illness: Mood and substance disorders are the most common psychiatric illnesses that precede suicide.
Higher rates with schizophrenia, personality disorders, and anxiety disorders.
Severe insomnia is associated with increased risk of suicide.
Other suicide risk factors
Alcohol and barbiturates
Psychosis with command hallucinations
Affliction with chronic, painful, or debilitating illness
Family history of suicide
LGBTQ individuals have a higher risk of suicide
Does having a history of suicide attempts increase or decrease the chances of someone attempting suicide again?
It increases the chances.
Psyc. Theories of suicide
Anger turned inward
Hopelessness
Desperation and guilt
History of aggression and violence
Shame and humiliation
Bio. Theories of suicide
Genetics
Neurochemical factors
Four Suicide Risk Factors
Prior suicide attempt
Mood disorders
Substance abuse
Access to lethal means
Suicide warning signs
Threatening to harm self
Seeking means
Hopelessness
Increase substance abuse
Mood changes
Assessment for suicide. Questions and information we must know.
Suicidal ideas or acts
Seriousness or intent?
Do they have a plan?
Do they have capabilities of doing it?
Verbal and behavioral clues?
Do they have an interpersonal support system? If not then risk increases. People support each other!
Assessment in the patient that has attempted suicide
Analysis of the suicidal crisis
Precipitating stressor
Relevant history or life stage issue?
Psych/med/family history?
Coping strategies?
Presenting symptoms
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
C-SSRS
Questionnaire used for suicide assessment.
A couple possible questions to ask a person who may be suicidal
Have your problems been getting you down so much lately that you’ve been thinking of harming yourself?
How would you harm yourself?
The more they talk the better for us to know.
There are many more questions on the slides.
