Citation

Heinrich K, Klimke A. Z. Klin. Psychol. Psychopathol. Psychother. 1990; 38(2): 99-108.

Vernacular Title

Selbsttotungen von psychiatrischen Klinikpatienten.

Affiliation

Rheinischen Landesklinik Düsseldorf-Psychiatrische Klinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Verlag Karl Alber)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2392864

Abstract

Psychiatric inpatients who commit suicide differ characteristically from other inpatients. Nearly 60% of them are between 30 and 60 years old and belong to the age group of those who are usually employed. Diagnostically most of them suffer from endogenous psychoses like schizophrenia or major depression. The distribution of the duration of illness shows two peaks: one during the first years and a second after many years of illness. A nearly constant percentage of 40% presents a striking life history, including psychiatric disorders in the family, retardation during childhood, interrupted school education and lack of vocational training. Suicidal attempts in the past are predictive for suicidal behaviour and suicide in the future. The rate of suicides (per 100,000 psychiatric inpatients) is increasing, however there is no evidence for a connection with treatment under open or closed conditions. In case of serious suicidal risk it may be necessary to take antisuicidal measures like temporally limited treatment in a closed ward. On the other hand the liberality which has been established in psychiatric hospitals over the last ten years might be reduced, if restrictive measures are taken in any case of suicidal risk.

Language: de