suicide

Question 1

suicide is the third leading cause of death in what age group

Answer 1

15-24 years

Question 2

Contributing factors for suicide

Answer 2

• 50% have hx of depression
• 30% related to anger after conflict
• 20% substance abuse related

Question 3

incidence of suicide

Answer 3

• more completions in males;
• 2 x more attempts in females
• more frequent in Caucasians

Question 4

Risk factors for suicide

Answer 4

• poor social adjustment
• substance abuse
• psychological trauma
• delinquency
• impulsive behavior

Question 5

Relationship variables for suicide

Answer 5

• recent rejections
• loss of a parent
• humiliation
• recent argument
• family discord

Question 6

clues to distress in suicide

Answer 6

• often overlooked
• must look at whats normal for patients
• most teens demonstrate signs of depression

Question 7

Comorbidities and suicide

Answer 7

• higher rates of behavioral disorders
• bipolar disorders
• substance abuse
• family history of mental illness

Question 8

Associated factors for suicide

Answer 8

• school problems
• legal problems
• chronic medical conditions
• anxiety about homosexuality
• LGBT youth at increased risk

Question 9

Risk assessment for suicide

Answer 9

• HEADSS
• maintain high level of suspicion while assessing
• use direct interviews with peers, family, and teachers

Question 10

Maturation with suicide

Answer 10

• related to suicide;
• thought/planning required;
• if under 10 there is potentially no understanding of permanence of death

Question 11

Evaluation with suicide

Answer 11

• mood-disorder identification is difficult
• interview/rapport are crucial
• level of confidentiality established

Question 12

Evaluation for suicide for increased risk

Answer 12

• hospitalization for safety
• identification of means for plan
• conditions with impaired judgment such as depression, psychosis, substance abuse

Question 13

Assessment goal for suicide

Answer 13

to obtain baseline information

Question 14

differentials that might figure in for suicide

Answer 14

1. medication reactions
2. neurologic disorders
3. nutritional conditions
4. endocrine disorders
5. malignancies

Question 15

warning signs for suicide

Answer 15

1. obsession with death
2. poems/essays/drawings focused on death
3. irrational behavior
4. dramatic changes in appearance/personality
5. threats
6. overwhelming guilt/shame
7. changes in eating
8. severe drop in school performance
9. giving away personal items

Question 16

primary care and suicide

Answer 16

• screening is necessary
• no solid way to predict
• many barriers

Question 17

CDC connectedness initiative

Answer 17

• social support
• participation
• decreasing isolation
• cohesion
• major initiative at federal level

Question 18

Suicide definition

Answer 18

killing oneself;

- a person willingly taking his or her own life

Question 19

suicidal attempt

Answer 19

• serious act that without accidental intervention, more accurate information, or luck, would prove fatal

Question 20

Example of accidental intervention for suicidal attempt

Answer 20

• someone about to hang self from a tree only to be discovered unexpectadly by a passerby

Question 21

example inaccurate information for suicidal attempt

Answer 21

• person firmly believes that taking four tylenol will kill him or her

Question 22

suicide gesture

Answer 22

• person undertakes a nonfatal behavior as a cry for help or to get attention

Question 23

suicide gamble

Answer 23

• engaging in suicidal act, understanding that luck, chance, or pattern may affect outcome
• gambles that he/she may die or someone will discover in time to save

Question 24

suicide equivalent

Answer 24

• person does not intentionally attempt suicde but tests the reaction of others;
• indirect cry for help

Question 25

suicidal threat

Answer 25

• person states that he/she will kill self if;
• may or may not be serious
• most complicated in romantic relationship

Question 26

Suicidal ideation

Answer 26

• having passive or persistent thoughts of killing self

- may or may not have plan

Question 27

Harmful, nonsuicidal acts

Answer 27

• people with chronic pain or insomnia may take more than prescribed dosage of meds
• unlikely consequences: comatose or serious effects
  example: teenager seriously injured while trying to impress peers

Question 28

Most common suicidal methods

Answer 28

• gunshot;
• drug/alcohol overdose;
• hanging;
• poisoning;
• carbon monoxide

Question 29

medical risk factors for suicide

Answer 29

• mental health disorders {depression, bipolar, anxiety, schizophrenia};
• substance abuse
• impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• hx of trauma or abuse
• hopelessness
• major physical illness, especially chronic pain
• previous attempt
• family hx of suicide

Question 30

environmental risk factors for suicide

Answer 30

• job loss, financial trouble
• loss of relationship
• prolonged stress
• easy access to lethal means
• lack of social support and sense of isolation
• stigma associated with help-seeking behavior;
• barriers to accessing mental health/ substance abuse tx

Question 31

protective factors for suicide

Answer 31

• access to effective, health, mental health, substance abuse;
• easy access to care: open-door policy
• restricted access to highly letha means of suicide
• strong connections to family/community
• skills in problem solving, conflic resolution;
• strong cultural/religious beliefs
• appropriate dx of depression
• access to antidepressnats

Question 32

why do people commit suicide

Answer 32

• depressed;
• psychotic;
• impulsive;
• crying out for help;
• philosophical desire to die;
• made a mistake

Question 33

reasons suicide is not attempted

Answer 33

• too depressed to act;
• stay alive for another person;
• religious reasons;
• condition or environment improves;

Question 34

Facts and tips about suicide

Answer 34

• most attempts are expressions of extreme distress not harmless bids for attention;
• hearing about suicidal behavio or feeling suicidal does not mean a person will kill self;
• everyone deserves to be taken seriously