Self harm Flashcards
1
Q
What are the risk factors of suicide?
A
- male
- older age
- living alone
- immigrant status
- recent bereavement
- unemployement or retirement
- living in a socially disorganised area
- previous alcohol/drug abuse / addiction
- previous suicide attempt
- depression or early dementia
- painful / disabling physical illness
2
Q
Who does the majority of self harm cases occur in?
A
people under 35
more common in women
3
Q
What is the most common type of self harm?
A
self poisoning
4
Q
What questions should you ask someone who self harms?
A
- was there a clear cause for the attempt
- premeditated or impulsive
- suicide note
- did the patient take pains not to be discovered
- did the patient make the attempt away from home.
5
Q
When should you refer a self harming patient to a psychiatrist?
A
- clinical depression
- Psychotic illness of any kind
- clearly pre planned suicidal attempt that was not intended to be discovered
- persistent suicidal intent
- a violent method of self harm
