Suicide

Question 1

SAD PERSONS acronym for risk factors of suicide

Answer 1

S; sex (male)

A; age (<19, >45)

D: depression

P; previous attempt

E; EtoH,

R: rational thinking/loss

S: social support (lacjing)

O: organized plan

N: no spouse

S: Sickness

Question 2

most important risk factor for suicde

Answer 2

Risk factors: the most important risk factor for suicide is a prior suicide attempt

Question 3

drugs with anti-suicidal properties

Answer 3

lithium and clozapine

Question 4

protective factors: family cohesiveness, parenthood, religious affiliation, social support

Question 5

warning signs for suicide

Answer 5

Warning Signs for Suicide: expressing SI (in talking/writing), plan, seeking/access to means, hopelessness, feeling trapped, purposelessness, dramatic changes in mood, anger, anxiety, agitation, social withdrawal, recklessness, escalating substance use, abnormal sleep.

Question 6

T/f suicidality is a psychiatric emergency

Answer 6

ture.

consider applying drugs of anti-suicidal properties (lithium, clozapine, SSRI, ECT)

Safety/triage/legal: admit PRN, monitor closely, safety planning + safety proof environment

Biopsychosocial: risk reduction plan – treat underlying conditions, decreased modifiable risk factors, optimize protective factors.

Consider applying drugs of anti-suicidal properties = lithium, clozapine, SSRI, ECT (if indicated)

Question 7

top 3 methods of suide

Answer 7

firearms, suffocation, poisoning

Question 8

causes of suicidal drive

Answer 8

• Deficient serotonin transmission
• Genetic link for suicidal behaviour (TPH polymorphisms)

• Early in treatment with antidepressant increase risk of suicidal ideation and behaviour but NOT completed suicide

o Both lithium and clozapine reduce suicide attempts and completions