Attempted suicide: An observational study at Medical College Psychiatry OPD

Introduction: Acts of self-injury and self-poisoning that have not resulted in death are described by various terms such as attempted suicide, parasuicide, and deliberate self-harm. Due to the wider utility in various studies, the term attempted suicide is used in this study also. While suicide attempt is defined as intentional self-inflicted poisoning, injury or self-harm which may or may not have a fatal intent or outcome the term attempted suicide is used here for patients who have completely recovered from their attempt and referred for psychiatry opinion. Aim: Aim of the study was to evaluate the socio-demographic factors, methods of the attempt, psychiatric morbidity, and other causes of attempted suicide. Materials and methods: Victims of attempted suicide who were treated and referred from general medicine inpatient care for a regular psychiatric opinion were selected for this study. In the planned period of 3 months span 102 consecutively referred individuals were assessed. Through unstructured, comprehensive clinical interview individuals were evaluated and psychiatric diagnoses were made by using ICD-10-criteria. Datas were entered in a self-structured proforma, results were analyzed. Results: Women (63%), less than 30 years of age (74%), married persons (66%), studied up to secondary and higher secondary education (62%), rural population (80%), semi-skilled workers including housewives (60%), outnumbered others. 21% had a family history of suicide. 13% have attempted in the past. 56% have attempted through organophosphorus and natural plant poisoning. 39% had psychiatric morbidity. Depressive, alcohol, personality disorders were common. 57% of suicidal attempts have resulted from Dysfunctional family living in the form of Interpersonal conflicts and quarrels. Conclusion: Although identifying and treating the psychiatric condition is an immediate need, addressing the Healthy family functioning through school level educational and community level programmes would have long term impact on preventing suicidal attempts.