Definitional Issues - Suicidal Behavior
Suicidal Ideation:
- A) nonspecific -- thoughts of death
- B) specific -- the thought of death includes an intent to die with a plan of action
Prevalence of suicidal ideation = 2.6%
Thoughts of death = 28.2%
Suicidal ideation (definition B) is associated with a psychiatric disorder, primarily depression
Suicide Attempts:
- A) (U.S.) Potential or actual self-injurious behavior accompanied by intent to die
- B) (Europe) Parasuicide -- a self-harmful act with nonfatal outcome -- intent not included in definition
(U.S.) Current prevalence estimates: 0.3 to 0.8%
- Male/Female ratio 1:3 (inverse of suicides)
- Attempts/completion 18/1
Higher incidence of attempts in 15-24 age population: 100/1 (parasuicide)
Serious suicide attempts indicative of severe psychiatric illness