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Suicide attempts and personality disorder
K H Suominen1, E T Isometsä, M M Henriksson
1Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|August 11, 2000
Summary
Individuals with personality disorders attempting suicide have a history of repeated attempts and prior psychiatric treatment. However, the immediate clinical characteristics of their suicide attempts do not differ from those without personality disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Personality disorders are associated with increased risk for suicidal behavior.
- Understanding the clinical differences between suicide attempters with and without personality disorders is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical characteristics of individuals who attempted suicide, differentiating between those with and without personality disorders.
Main Methods:
- A systematic sample of 114 suicide attempters was assessed using DSM-III-R criteria.
- Patients were categorized into groups with and without personality disorders (Clusters A, B, C).
- Clinical characteristics and treatment history were compared between the groups.
Main Results:
- Suicide attempters with personality disorders reported a higher incidence of previous suicide attempts and lifetime psychiatric treatment.
- No significant differences were observed in suicide intent, hopelessness, lethality, or impulsivity between the groups.
- Personality disorder clusters (A, B, C) showed varying sample sizes, with Cluster B being the most prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Suicidal behavior appears to be a more enduring pattern in individuals with personality disorders.
- Despite a history of persistence, the immediate clinical presentation of a suicide attempt may not distinguish individuals with personality disorders from those without.