Citation

Jacobs DG, Brewer ML. CNS Spectr. 2006; 11(6): 447-454.

Affiliation

Screening for Mental Health, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481, USA. djacobs@mentalhealthscreening.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, MBL Communications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16816784

Abstract

This article presents charts from The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Patients with Suicidal Behaviors, part of the Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders Compendium, and a summary of the assessment information in a format that can be used in routine clinical practice. Four steps in the assessment process are presented: the use of a thorough psychiatric examination to obtain information about the patient's current presentation, history, diagnosis, and to recognize suicide risk factors therein; the necessity of asking very specific questions about suicidal ideation, intent, plans, and attempts; the process of making an estimation of the patient's level of suicide risk is explained; and the use of modifiable risk and protective factors as the basis for treatment planning is demonstrated. Case reports are used to clarify use of each step in this process.

Language: en