Suicide Flashcards
1
Q
Attempted suicide
A
-rate is highest in the young
-completed suicide rate rises with age
: F:M 3:2
2
Q
Overdose in elderly
A
-usually suicide attempt
3
Q
Diagnosis following DSH
A
- more likely to be given a diagnosis
- 50%have major depression
- 30% have alcohol abuse
- 10% other disorders
- 10% no diagnosis
4
Q
Risk factors for DSH
A
- physical illness
- widowhood, divorce, separation
- social isolation and loneliness
- living alone
- unresolved grief after the death of a spouse
5
Q
Completed suicide
A
- highest rate in elderly
- M:F 3:1
- widowers are more likely to kill themselves than widows
6
Q
Methods of suicide
A
- drug OD in women
- hanging in men
- suffocation
- jumping from tall structures
7
Q
Suicide in old age
A
- careful planning
- half of victims leave a note
- 50% of suicides are over 65
- previous DSH seen in 1/3 of people who complete suicide
8
Q
Major depression
A
-70% of older suicide victims suffer from major depressive disorder at the time of death
9
Q
Personality traits
A
- Suicide in subjects over 50 years of age is associated with higher levels of neuroticism and lower scores in the openness to experience
- anankastic and anxious traits are also associated
10
Q
Alcohol
A
- men are twice as likely to excess weekly safe drinking limits
- women report more late onset of alcohol problems
- widowers drink more
- married older women drink more
