Suicide

Question 0

Factors associated with higher risk for suicide include:

Answer 0

• Intention =indirect or direct communication of intent, presence of a plan (especially a lethal plan)
• History= history of past attempts or family history of suicidal behavior
• Demographic factors= Adolescence, individuals over 45, male gender, white race, separated, divorced, widowed, living alone, lacks social support, unemployed
• Diagnoses =depression, alcoholism, schizophrenia
• Behavior patterns=impulsivity, rigidity, isolation
• Antecedent events =major life change without adequate coping strategies, recent loss or anniversary of loss, recent improvement in depressive symptoms
• Physical condition= Persistent insomnia, recent surgery or childbirth, intractable pain

Question 1

Assessment for suicide risk ordinarily involves:

Answer 1

• evaluating the client in terms of the factors that have been consistently linked with high risk for suicide
• Questioning the client about his intent to commit suicide (in a non-judgmental, non-threatening way)

Question 2

The most common intervention techniques for suicide are:

Answer 2

• Relieve the clients isolation
• Remove lethal weapons
• Help the client develop alternate methods for expressing anger
• Encourage the client to delay the decision about suicide
• Help the client reestablish social ties
• Relieve the clients anxiety and sleep loss