Psychiatric consultations and therapy recommendations following a suicide attempt in a general hospital and their associations with selected parameters in a 1-year period

Abstract

Objective. Our study aims to determine the frequency and distribution of suicide attempts according to the patients’ characteristics and type of suicide attempt as well as the method of treatment proposed by the consultation–liaison service in a general hospital. Methods. This retrospective naturalistic study covers a 1-year period (2012), during which 51 suicide attempters were hospitalised in the Charité Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Germany. The following data were analysed: method of suicide, account of prior psychiatric history and medication, as well as the acute psychiatric diagnosis and treatment – including pharmacotherapy. Results. Most of the patients were diagnosed with a psychiatric illness. Major depressive disorder was the most frequent diagnosis in consultation. Treatment recommendations more often entailed further psychiatric treatment than medication. In the cases where medication was indeed given, benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed. Conclusions. Most of the suicide attempters needed further therapy in psychiatric hospitals. A specialised pharmacotherapy (antidepressants, mood stabilisers) was rarely recommended by the psychiatric consultation service. The psychiatric consultation and therapy recommendations are important in guiding future acute treatment procedures.

Key words::

• Consultation
• psychiatry
• depression
• pharmacotherapy
• suicide attempt

Acknowledgements

None.

Statement of interest

None of the authors reports conflicts of interest.