Suicide risk factors

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Overview

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Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

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Laboratory Findings

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Pharmacotherapy

Prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Iqra Qamar M.D.[2]

Overview

Risk factors

Common Risk Factors

  • Risk factors for suicide may include:[1]
    • Family history of suicidal behavior
    • Mental disorders such as major depression, substance use disorders, hospitalization or psychotic disorders
    • History of physical or sexual abuse
    • Previous suicide attempt or exposure to suicide
    • Gay, lesbian, or bisexual orientation, or transgender or gender non-conforming identity[2]
    • Biologic factors
    • Access to means
      • Firearms
    • Alcohol and drug use
    • Social stress
      • Social isolation
    • Adoption
    • Emotional and cognitive factors

Less Common Risk Factors

  • Poor self-esteem
  • Impulsivity and risk-taking behavior
  • Aggressiveness
  • Delinquent behavior
  • Family dysfunction
  • Parenting style characterized by little warmth and little control (rejecting and neglectful)
  • Nonintact family
  • Having run away from home

Warning Signs

Warning signs help to determine one at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event. Warning signs include:

  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
  • Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or isolating themselves
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  • Extreme mood swings


Pneumonic for Identification of risk factors

"IS PATH WARM"

I Ideation
S Substance abuse – Increased substance use
P Purposelessness
A Anxiety – Worry, fear, agitation, or changes in sleep pattern
T Trapped – Feeling like there is no way out of a bad situation
H Hopelessness
W Withdrawal from friends, family, and society
A Anger
R Recklessness
M Mood changes

References

  1. Shain B (July 2016). "Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents". Pediatrics. 138 (1). doi:10.1542/peds.2016-1420. PMID 27354459.
  2. "Office-based care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth". Pediatrics. 132 (1): 198–203. July 2013. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-1282. PMID 23796746.

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