Suicide Flashcards
What portion of suicide victims have seen their doctor within 1 month or six months of dying? What portion of suicide victims overdosed within a week of being prescribed a lethal amount of medication?
1 month: 50%; 6 months: 80%; 50% of patients who overdosed did so within 1 week of receiving a prescription.
What are three underlying emotional traits/states that influence suicide?
Hopelessness, Helplessness, Impulsivity
What are the risk factors for suicide?
Mental Illness, medical problems, renal disease, depressed mood, substance abuse, alcohol, marijuana, recent crisis, stress response, domestic violence, faith, firearms, age, gender, altitude, profession
What are some tactics to reduce suicide risk in patients with medical problems?
Reduce acute stressors, appropriate pain control, treat comorbid illness, support any caregivers. Helplessness and hopelessness are also common among patients, alleviate if possible.
What is the suicide risk and rate of patients with renal disease versus the national average?
Patients with renal disease attempt suicide at 3x the national rate, most with first 3 months of dialysis. Patients with End Stage renal disease suicide at 84% higher rate and those with kidney transplants at 75% higher rate. Withdrawal from dialysis is common, may be “suicide equivalent”.
What proportion of suicides occur while intoxicated?
Between 1/3 and 2/3 of suicides occur while intoxicated.
What is the association of marijuana use by adolescents and risk of suicidal ideation as adults?
Individuals who used marijuana more than 10 times as adolescents had increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts by age 27.
What is the association of suicide attempts with life crises?
Nearly all suicides are associated with a life crisis within the last year, most strongly associated with young, male, impulsive, personality-disordered, and substance abusing suicides. Impulsivity key, because crises pass.
