4: Deliberate self harm and suicide

Question 1

What phrase should you use instead of attempted suicide?

Answer 1

Deliberate self harm

Question 2

How common is psychiatric illness in people who

a) deliberately self harm
b) complete suicide?

Answer 2

a) Less common

b) More common

Question 3

(Men / women) have a greater suicide risk.

Answer 3

Men

Question 4

Which groups in society have a greater suicide risk?

Answer 4

Poor and disadvantaged

Question 5

Which UK country has the highest suicide rate?

Answer 5

Scotland

Question 6

Men tend to choose more ___ methods of suicide.

Answer 6

violent

Question 7

How are methods of suicide made less attractive by the government?

Answer 7

Inconvenience

e.g not being able to buy tons of paracetamol at once

Question 8

Suicide rates are higher in (rural / urban) areas.

Answer 8

urban

Question 9

At what time of year are suicide rates greater?

Answer 9

Spring

Question 10

At what time of year are suicide rates lower?

Answer 10

Winter

Question 11

Why are suicide rates thought to be higher in the spring?

Answer 11

Sense of alienation for depressives

weather is improving but they feel the same (or worse)

Question 12

Suicide rates are higher for people born when?

Answer 12

Spring

unsure why

Question 13

How does marital status affect suicide rate?

Answer 13

Married people are less likely to commit suicide

People who have been recently separated or widowed are more likely to commit suicide

Question 14

Which jobs are associated with a greater suicide risk?

Why?

Answer 14

Farmers

Doctors

Vets

Armed Forces

Access to the means of carrying it out

Question 15

Why did suicide rates increase in 2007?

Answer 15

Recession

Question 16

The greater the ___ of a suicide method, the greater the suicide rate by that method.

Answer 16

availability

Question 17

Which group of chronic diseases have the greatest effect on suicide risk?

Answer 17

Chronic disabling neurological diseases

Parkinson’s disease, MND…

Question 18

Social ___ increases your risk of suicide.

Answer 18

alienation

Question 19

What is the association between religious beliefs and suicide?

Answer 19

Decreased risk of suicide

suicide is a sin in many religions

Question 20

How do we know that suicide has a genetic component?

Answer 20

Twin studies show concordance

Question 21

Suicide has a strong ___ component.

Answer 21

genetic

Question 22

Which mood stabiliser has a protective effect against suicide?

Answer 22

Lithium

Question 23

Why is the male suicide rate greater than the female suicide rate?

Answer 23

Women have better support networks than men - social cohesion

Suicide methods chosen by males are more violent - more likely to be successful

Question 24

Which age group is at greater risk of deliberate self harm?

Answer 24

Young people (15 - 30)

Question 25

What is the most common method of non-fatal deliberate self harm?

Answer 25

Poisoning

Question 26

What is the strongest risk factor for suicide completion?

Answer 26

Previous deliberate self harm

Question 27

What is the biggest risk factor for suicide?

Answer 27

Hx deliberate self harm

Question 28

Can you 100% predict that a patient will attempt suicide?

Answer 28

No

Question 29

What does ambivalence mean?

Answer 29

Mixed feelings on something

Question 30

A patient who has self-harmed or wishes to should be asked about what?

Answer 30

Timeline of events - what’s happened, trigger

Self harm - what have they done

Mental state

Question 31

What services exist in the management of deliberate self harm or suicide?

Answer 31

Psychological therapy

Counselling

Social work

Addiction services

Listening services e.g Samaritans

Question 32

Which terms should you avoid when discussing self harm and suicide with patients?

Answer 32

Attempted suicide

‘Committed’ suicide

Unsuccessful suicide