Suicide Flashcards
True or False: Suicidal patients come to primary care doctors more often than psychiatrists.
True
True or False: Suicidal patients often come with vague somatic complaints.
True
In one study of suicide victims, _____% saw their MD during the 6 months before death and _____% within a month of dying.
80, 50
_____% of patients who overdosed did so within a week of being prescribed a lethal amount of medication.
50
What are the 3 general risk factors for suicide?
Mental illness, substance abuse, psychosocial crisis
What are 3 character traits that are risk factors for suicide?
Hopelessness, helplessness, impulsivity
True or False: 20% of people who complete suicide test positive for opiates, including heroin and narcotics
True
True or False: 33% of people who complete suicide test positive for alcohol
True. Impulsivity
True or False: Marijuana is a risk factor for suicide
True
True or False: Nearly all suicide events are associated with an adverse life event in the preceding year.
True.
This is most strongly associated with young, male, impulsive, personality-disordered, and substance abusing individuals.
Impulsivity is key because crises pass.
True or False: Suicide is a contagious idea
True
True or False: Acute violence (e.g. domestic violence) is associated with impulsive suicide
True
True or False: childhood violence and abuse increases adult risk of helpless suicide
True
True or False: Suicide is inversely associated with measures of religiosity
True
True or False: Access to a firearm is a risk factor for suicide
True
Do men or women complete suicide more often? How about age?
Older men
Is there a correlation between high altitude and suicide?
Yes. strange
True or False: Advanced degrees, except medical degrees, are protective of suicide
True
What are 4 common clinical mistakes when investigating SI?
- Not interviewing the patient in private, especially if mate or parents don’t want to leave.
- Not getting info from family and friends particularly if the patient’s story is vague or leaves many unanswered questions.
- Labeling the patient’s behavior as “manipulative” or “attention-seeking” thus minimizing its seriousness.
- Neglecting to ask about presence of weapons, pills, etc.
True or False: Suicide and homocide are frequently linked
True
What’s the most common homocide-suicide scenario?
Man kills woman and then kills himself
What is the goal for healthcare professionals for SI?
Intervene, especially in acute crisis, to reduce helplessness, hopelessness, and impulsivity
