Citation

Brown M, King E, Barraclough B. Br. J. Psychiatry 1995; 167(4): 448-451.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8829710

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide pacts are rarely discussed in the medical literature. We report here the medical and social aspects of a consecutive series of double or pact suicides. METHOD: Coroners' records were examined for 722 consecutive suicides. Data were extracted from them and from medical and psychiatric records. RESULTS: Nine pacts (2.5% of suicides) were located: 11 of the 18 people appeared to have been mentally ill at the time of death and three more had a history of mental illness. Five had a significant medical history (three cancer). CONCLUSIONS: Mental disorder is common in those who enter suicide pacts (mainly depression, with alcohol dependence rare). Motivations for suicide appear to be relief of mental disorder and pain.

Language: en