Psychiatric Morbidity Among Suicide Attempters Who Needed ICU Intervention

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide is a tragic and serious preventable public health problem all over the world 1,3 . It is one of the three leading causes of death among 15-44-year old people globally 4 . Suicide rates among young people appear to be rising in both developed and developing countries more quickly. In recent times, adolescent suicides have been on the increase 1, 4, 5 . Examinations, peer pressure and emotional issues are said to be the triggers 6 . Like adults, the number of adolescents who committed suicide has been increasing in Japan also 7 . Suicide is an act with a fatal outcome that is deliberately initiated and performed by the person in the knowledge or expectation of its fatal outcome. Attempted suicide is defined as a potentially self injurious action with a non-fatal outcome for which there is evidence, either explicit or Abstract: Background: Suicide is a tragic and serious but preventable public health problem all over the world including Bangladesh. Committing suicide has become a burning issue and mortality rate increases especially in young females. Psychiatric evaluation is needed in suicide attempted patients for better management plan to reduce such unnatural mortality, as well as the impairment related to suicidal thought and psychiatric disorders. Objectives: To assess the psychiatric disorders and conditions that needed sufficient clinical attention among the suicide attempters who needed ICU intervention. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital of Dhaka City from July 2008 to December 2008. Total forty four subjects of attempted suicide were included in the study and psychiatric diagnosis was made by using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV by psychiatrists after initial physical problems subsided. Results: The most common psychiatric diagnosis was Major Depressive Disorder. Female suffered more and among them attention-seeking behaviors were frequent. Thirty-four patients (77.3%) had previous history of psychiatric disorder. Chemicals (like; organophosphorous, kerosene, harpic and other medicine overdose) ingestion was the most frequently used method by the suicide attempters. Conclusion: This study may be helpful for further research regarding suicide attempters and its' association with mental problems. In primary health care setting, the physicians may get a clue to design a system for preventing, early recognition and managing suicidal ideas, thoughts and attempts. Psychiatric consultation should be made mandatory for all patients admitted following attempted suicide.