Characteristic Patients with Suicidal Behavior: a Study in Consultation Service of Psychiatric Department, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with suicidal behavior in consultation service of Psychiatric Department, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital during January 1 to December 31, 1996. The data of 14 defined characteristics of 177 patients were corrected. The ratio between male and female in suicide attemp patients was 1:1.21. The age of patients ranged from 11 to 86 years and the most common interval was 20-39 years (49.2%). Fifty nine percent of the patient were married and thirty three percent were single. Most of them were employee, primary school graduated. The most frequent method was poison ingestion (54%). The family relation problem was the major precipitating cause. The most common diagnosis was adjustm disorders The suicidal patients had history of psychiatric ilness (20%), family history of psychiatric illness (18%) and family history of suicidal behavior (4.5%). Fifty two percent were alcohol drinkers.