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The Assessment of Suicide Risk.
This appears to be based upon two sets of factors...
Fixed factors can be examined without interaction with the individual concerned.
Fluid factors tend only to become apparent through interaction with the individual.
FIXED FACTORS
- Young unemployed males
- Physical illness
- History of Self Harm
- Living alone
- Actual or attempted suicide by close friend or relative.
- Those who abuse and have been abused
- Soon after discharge from hospital - esp 1st month.
- Women without children
Suicide is believed to be highest amongst the socially deprived, the depressed, those with severe illness and those who
arte isolated or living alone.
FLUID FACTORS
- A lack of future plans
- Giving away property
- Tying up loose ends
- Recent experiences of failure and /or rejection
- Recent major life stress
- A loss of concern by the individual for others
- A loss of concern by the others for the individual.
- A belief that key people would be affected by their death
- An absence of 'key therapists' perhaps on leave
- The anniversary of a loss
- A rapid reduction of an addictive drug or psycotropic medication
- Fluid improvement in the face of unresolved problems.
- The availability of the means guns/ poisons etc
- Difficulty in resisting thoughts of ending life.
- Difficulty in distinguishing between thoghts, ideas and intentions.
What triggers suicide
- Loss of important relationship
- Change in abilities
- Change in functioning
- Unable to manage depression
- To avoid or end pain
- Escape intolerable pain
- Gain attention
- Manipulate others
- Punish others
- Punish self
- Become a martyr
- Dying - to help others
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Family disruption
- Relationship breakup
- Separation
- Divorce
- Trauma
- Terminal illness of close friend or relative
- Death of a close friend or relative
- Stress on Family
- Loss of health
- Loss of Employment
- Loss of Home
- Loss of Status
- Loss of Money
- Loss of Self Esteem
- Loss of Personal Security
WARNING SIGNS
- Loss of interest in personal appearance
- Inability or unwillingness to communicate
- Diminished sexual appetite through to sexual promiscuity.
- Loss of appetite & weight - through to overeating
- Loss of interest in prior relationships
- Loss of interest in previously loved activities
- Confusion
- Inability to concentrate
- Making a will
- Putting affairs into order
- Giving away prized possessions.
- Change in sleep pattern - from insomnia - nightmares - through to oversleeping
- Abrupt changes in personality
- Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs
- Rebeliousness - reckless behaviour
- Accident prone as a consequence of carelessness
- Extreme or extended boredom
- Violent warning signs
- Previous suicide attempts
- Self inflicted injuries
- Inapproppriately saying goodbye
- Preoccupation with suicide and/or death
- Running away from responsibilty. Truancy. Poor performance at work
- Before and during disciplinary action
- Development of suicidal plan, Acquiring the means. Rehersing and setting the date.
CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS
- Loneliness
- Sadness
- Withdrawal
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Tiredness
- Indecisiveness
- Apathy
- Low Self Esteem
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Shame
- Guilt
- Self Loathing
- Self Hatred
- Depression
- Panic
- Restlessness
- Distress
- Powerlessness
- Prone to angry outbursts
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