Discriminating characteristics of suicides

Diagnostic, demographic, and outcome profiles were compared between psychiatric inpatients and former inpatients who ultimately committed suicide and those who did not. Results showed that the suicide group contained a greater preponderance of males and patients suffering from schizoaffective disorder or unipolar depression, and comparatively fewer patients with borderline personality disorder. The suicide group also had histories or symptoms indicative of affective difficulties, and premorbidly had achieved a higher IQ and higher levels of socioeconomic functioning. They also demonstrated higher levels of psychopathology on admission and their post-hospitalization courses were characterized by lower levels of functioning. The risk of suicide thus appeared to be correlated to illness virulence and to the magnitude of the loss of healthy functioning.