Suicide in Psychiatric Patients Who Have Received Hospital Treatment
GEORGE C. WILSON JR. M.D.1
1 Chief, bureau of alcoholism, City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health, 101 Grove St., San Francisco, Calif. 94102; he is also clinical instructor in psychiatry, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco
The records of two groups of psychiatric patients were studied: 17 patients who committed suicide while in the hospital or within one year after discharge and 29 suicide-risk patients who did not commit suicide. A five-factor psychosocial evaluation showed that the suicides were characterized by lack of constructive plans for the future, high chaotic energy levels, and general social isolation; the suicide-risk patients were characterized by adequate planning, low energy levels, and positive relationships with other people. Both groups showed depressive mood and lack of moral restraints against suicide.
