Related Experiment Videos
[Attempted suicide: epidemiological changes between 1969-1996. A retrospective study of 1,150 cases]
M C Tejedor Azpeitia1, A M Díaz Pérez, E Alvarez Martínez
1Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08025, España. ctejedor@hsp.santpau.es
Actas Espanolas De Psiquiatria
|November 5, 1999
Summary
Suicide attempts increased significantly over 40 years, with more patients having psychiatric issues and repeat attempts. This highlights the need for updated prevention strategies and therapeutic programs for suicidal behavior.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Suicide attempts represent a major public health crisis, necessitating updated preventive measures.
- This study analyzes epidemiological patterns of suicide attempts over a 27-year period (1969-1996).
Observation:
- Analyzed 1,150 suicide attempts in a general hospital emergency service.
- Data collected included sociodemographics, psychiatric history, suicide behavior, and triggering life events.
Findings:
- Observed a progressive increase in psychiatric diagnoses and prior treatments among attempters (11% to 74%).
- The rate of repeat suicide attempts dramatically increased from 22% to 50%.
- Gender distribution in suicide attempts became more equal over time.
Implications:
- Findings underscore the growing psychiatric burden in individuals attempting suicide.
- There is a critical need for therapeutic programs to prevent suicide attempt repetition.
- Interventions should address both psychiatric exacerbations and life-event-triggered crises.