Suicide of The Psychiatric Patients during Social Adjustment Period

적응과정에서의 정신과 환자의 자살

The authors examined for risk factors for suicide among psychiatric patients who had committed suicide through the analysis of demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics of the patients. The total number of suicides committed during social adjustment period was 9. Male and female ratio was 5:4 and the highest incidence occurred in the age group of 21-29 years. Of the 9 cases, schizophrenia accounted for two-third of the suicides. Among the committed suicides, 4 were in hospitalization and rest were postdischarge state. We found that 4 of 5(80%) suicides occurred in the first year after discharge, and that three fifth(60%) occurred within three months of discharge. In this result, most of suicides occurred immediately or soon after discharge and some during inpatient care. The major precipitating factors the patients showed before committing suicide were realistic and psychological problems. Consquently, they become dejected, experience feelings of hopelessness, go on to a depressed mood, and, in that case, have suicidal ideas that are eventually acted on. We believe that the ability to recognize risk factors for suicide and develop appropriate interventions is key to suicide prevention.