A study on socio-demographic profile, impulsivity, psychiatric morbidity among suicide attempters

INTRODUCTION: suicide is one of the ten major causes of death in India. 90%of the persons who die from suicide satisfy the criteria for one or more psychiatric disorders. Most people have notably mood, substance related, anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders, with co-morbidity being common. A considerable proportion of suicide attempts are the result of sudden ideation. Understanding impulsive suicide attempts is necessary for effective interventions. OBJECTIVES: To study socio-demographic profile, psychiatric morbidities and to assess the risk and impulsivity of suicidal attempts MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross sectional study was done for 1year among 65 suicide attempted patients. Socio demographic and clinical details were obtained using semi structured proforma. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed using Brief Psychiatric Rating scale, ICD10. Suicidal risk assessment was done by Becks scale for suicidal ideation. Attempter impulsivity was measured by the total score of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. RESULTS-: Among 65 attempted suicide patients, majority belong to 18-25yr age group (38.46%) and were females (63.07%). 36.9% were diagnosed with adjustment disorder. History of previous suicidal attempt was present in 32.7%. Majority of individuals attempted suicide out of impulsivity (70.7%). CONCLUSION-: The results suggested that a considerable proportion of suicide attempts were due to result of sudden inclinations and were made in relatively earlier stages of suicidal ideation. So, early identification of those at risk and appropriate interventions may be helpful.