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Suicide
Medical Questions » Suicide
| Name: Suicide |
| Also known as: |
| Eighth in importance as a cause of all deaths in western countries, but in young adults it is far higher in the rankings. Twice as many women as men attempt suicide, but men are three times more successful and are more likely to use violent means (eg. gun, jumping). Those who live alone and who have poor general health are also at a higher risk. |
Causes of Suicide
May be triggered by an emotional crisis such as divorce, death of a close family member, loss of a job, financial crisis or as a result of some other form of rejection, but often there is no apparent reason. Alcoholism makes suicide attempts more likely, and the sudden excessive use of alcohol in an already stressed or depressed person is cause for considerable concern. |
Symptoms of Suicide
Those who contemplate suicide often provide clues of their intentions, but unfortunately these clues are sometimes not obvious or are ignored. A person who jokes about ' ending it all' , or that the family is ' better off without me' , may well be trying to judge the reaction of others to this idea. Other similar conversational clues may be introduced in the third person by expressing ideas such as ' my friend often talks of suicide' or ' did you read about that suicide in the paper' . Further clues may include changes in behavior such as giving away prized possessions, enquiring about cremations, or sudden changes in religious attitudes and investigating alternate religions. A decision to attempt suicide may be a long slow process over many weeks or months, in which cases clues may be identified and a doctor alerted, or a sudden bout of deep depression may result in the decision being made in a matter of minutes. |
Tests for Suicide
None necessary. |
Treatment for Suicide
Once there is reasonable suspicion that an individual may attempt suicide, a medical practitioner (usually the person' s general practitioner) should be made aware of the clues that have been noticed. The doctor will then take all possible measures to ensure that the person is treated and counseled appropriately. No-one can be forced to undergo medical treatment, but if the doctor' s efforts to persuade the patient to accept treatment are unsuccessful, and if the doctor is convinced that a suicide attempt is imminent, documents may be signed to allow the person to be taken into a hospital for further assessment and treatment. This measure is only taken as a last resort. If the patient accepts treatment, it will involve counseling and medication to correct the biochemical imbalance in the brain that may be causing depression.
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Complications of Suicide of its treatment
None. |
Likely Outcome of Suicide
Suicide attempts are at least ten times more common than successful suicides. Many can be prevented, and the patient can be successfully treated so that they can lead a happy and productive life, but the early involvement of doctors is essential. |
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