This paper deals with patients who attempt suicide, focusing on their evaluation in the emergency room. It is suggested that as the actual risk of completed suicide in suicide attempters is low, the evaluating psychiatrist might preferentially focus on assessing the patient's motivation for self-destructive behaviour. Recent studies are reviewed which demonstrate a linkage between self-destructive acts and the status of relationships with significant others. An illustrative case history is presented.
References
1.
PerlmutterRA, JonesJEAssessment of families in psychiatric emergencies.Am J Orthopsychiatry1985; 55(1): 130–139.
2.
FrancesA, ClarkinJFConsidering family versus other therapies after a teenager's suicide attempt.Hosp Community Psychiatry1985; 36: 1041–1046.
3.
KuipersL, BebbingtonPRelatives as a resource in the management of functional illness.Br J Psychiatry1985; 147: 465–470.
4.
AdamKSAttempted suicide.Psychiatr Clin North Amer1985; 8(2): 183–202.
5.
DorpatTL, RipleyHSA study of suicide in the Seattle area.Compr Psychiatry1960; 1: 349.
6.
EttlingerRWSuicides in a group of patients who had previously attempted suicide.Acta Psychiatr Scand1964; 40: 363.
7.
HawtonK, CatalanJAttempted suicide.New York: Oxford University Press,1982.
