Suicide Flashcards
What are some examples of immutable risk factors for suicide?
- family history
- demographics
- religion
- personality traits
What are some examples of circumstantial risk factors for suicide?
- unemployment
- financial status
- relationship status
- pain
- life transition
- access to lethal means
What are some examples of modifiable risk factors for suicide?
- drug use
- perceived stress
- current psychiatric illness
- hoplessness
- delusions
- insomnia - OFTEN precedes suicide w/in hrs, wks, days
What are some symptoms that are almost always precursors to suicide?
- insomnia
- restlessness
- helplessness
- hopeless
What is the risk triad
- ideation
- intention
- plan
What medications increase the risk for suicide?
- antidepressants
- antipsychs
- mood stabilizers
- antiepileptics
What is the most common method of suicide globally?
hanging
What age group is especially susceptible to suicide?
rate increases substantially after 55 years old
Are men or women at a greater risk for suicide?
men are always at greater risk
-women attempt 4x as much ,but arent successful
What races have a high risk for suicide?
- american indians the highest
- whites are at higher risk than blacks
Which religious groups are more susceptible to suicide?
protestant and jewish
-muslim and catholic are low
What types of occupations have high suicide rates?
professional - have more access
- doctors, vets, dentists
- police officiers - guns
- musicians and attorneys
Which type of doctors have greatest risk for suicide?
- psychiatrists
- opthalmologists
- anesthesiologists
Does chronic or acute substance abuse increase the risk for suicide?
both - both decrease inhibitions
Is the risk for suicide genetically based?
yes - increase risk in monozygotic vs dizygotic twins
What months of the year have the greatest risk for suicide?
spring and fall NOT december
What age group is particularly at risk for suicide, if they are put on antidepressants?
<25
-they have increased energy and the capacity for attempt now
What psych disorders have particularly increased risk of suicide?
- depression - MOST people
- schizophrenia >50% attempt
What receptor is correlated with increased suicide risk?
ss allele for serotonin transporter
What is the greatest predictor for suicide?
previous violence
How should you treat a patient that is at risk for suicide?
LEAST restrictive approach
- add meds to lower anxiety, insomnia
- add SLOW acting antidepressants
- increase their support system
- possibly commit them
How long can you commit a patient at risk for suicide for?
1-63 days
Which medications can you force a patient on suicide watch to take?
NONE
