Behavioral Science

66 Deja Review: Behavioral Science
What accounts for this difference?
What age group has the highest
suicide rate?
Men tend to use more lethal means
(firearms, hanging) and women less
lethal (pill overdose).
• The elderly (65 and older). Despite
being only 14% of the population,
they comprise about 18% to 25%
of the total suicide percentage.
• The elderly suicide rate is 40 per
100,000 persons in comparison to the
national US rate of 12 per 100,000.
What has happened to the suicide rate It has risen significantly over the last
in child and adolescent groups over 40 years with a mortality rate of 12%,
the last 40 years? though declined since 1990.
What is the most significant risk factor
of suicide?
What are other risk factors for suicide
(in decreasing order)?
How is suicide most commonly
committed or attempted?
Is there racial disparity among those
who commit suicide?
What are the most common comorbid
medical disorders associated
with suicide?
A previous attempt.
You should become extremely cautious
if the attempt is recent (eg, within
3 months) and if the nature of the
attempt is well-thought out and
deliberate.
1. Persons >45 years
2. Alcohol dependence
3. History of violence or aggression
4. Male gender
Firearms are the number one method
for completed suicide, regardless of
gender.
Other common methods include
jumping, hanging, overdose,
and drowning.
Yes, whites commit suicide more than
any other group. However, the suicide
rate among young black males is slowly
increasing.
Major Depressive Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Personality Disorders
Substance Abuse