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Suicidal ideation is a common medical term for thoughts about suicide, which may be as detailed as a formulated plan, without the suicidal act itself. Although most people who undergo suicidal ideation do not commit suicide, some go on to make suicide attempts.^[1] The range of suicidal ideation varies greatly from fleeting to detailed planning, role playing and unsuccessful attempts, which may be deliberately constructed to fail or be discovered or may be fully intended to succeed.

In a study conducted in Finland, 22% of the suicide victims examined had discussed suicidal intent with a health care professional in their last office visit.^[2]

Risk factors

Epidemiologic factors

• Male, white, age greater than 65 years^[3]
• Widowed or divorced
• Living alone; no children under the age of 21 in the household
• Presence of stressful life events

Psychiatric disorders

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Major depression, which is often associated with social isolation
• Bipolar disorder
• Substance abuse (particularly alcohol)
• Schizophrenia
• Eating disorder
• Body dysmorphic disorder
• Panic disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Additionally, in adolescents: impulsive, aggressive and antisocial behavior; presence of family violence and disruption

Past history

• History of previous suicide attempt
• Family history of suicide attempt

Symptoms associated with suicide ideation

• Hopelessness
• Anhedonia
• Insomnia
• Severe anxiety
• Impaired concentration
• Psychomotor agitation
• Panic attacks ^[4]

References

1. ^ Gliatto, Michael F.; Rai, Anil K. (March 1999). "Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Suicidal Ideation". American Family Physician 59 (6). Retrieved on 2007-01-08. 
2. ^ Halgin, Richard P.; Susan Whitbourne (2006). Abnormal psychology : clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. Boston : McGraw-Hill, pp. 267-272. ISBN 0-07-322872-9. 
3. ^ Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Suicidal Ideation - March 15, 1999 - American Academy of Family Physicians
4. ^ Gliatto, Michael F.; Rai, Anil K. (March 1999). "Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Suicidal Ideation". American Family Physician 59 (6). Retrieved on 2007-10-19. 

• Beck, AT; Steer, RA; Kovacs, M; Garrison, B (1985). "Hopelessness and eventual suicide: a 10-year prospective study of patients hospitalized with suicidal ideation". Am J Psychiatry 142 (5): 559–563. 
• Uncapher, H (2000-2001). "Cognitive biases and suicidal ideation in elderly psychiatric inpatients". Omega 42 (1): 21–36. 
• Uncapher, H; Gallagher-Thompson, D; Osgood, NJ (1998). "Hopelessness and suicidal ideation in older adults". The Gerontologist 38 (1): 62–70. 

Footnotes

External links

• Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Suicidal Ideation
• Suicidal Thoughts
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline--warning signs

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• This page was last modified on 20 September 2008, at 00:01.

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