Evaluation of Behavioral Patterns and Impulsivity in Individuals Who Have Attempted Suicide Presenting to the General Hospital Emergency Department.

Abstract

Background: Suicide attempts are one of the important causes of end of life in middle- and low-socioeconomic countries. A considerable number of suicide attempts are due to impulsive behavior. Non-planning, decreased attention, decreased cognition, and risky behavior constitute important reasons for suicide attempts. The study aimed to understand the proportion and patterns of attempts at suicide and the assessment of impulsivity in individuals with suicide attempts.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the proportion of suicide attempts among the total number of cases admitted to the emergency department was calculated. The sample size of this study was 104. Informed consent was obtained from the individuals who risked their lives. Sociodemographic details were collected using a semi-structured pro forma. Later, information related to the method used for suicide, age groups, and gender indicating the pattern of suicide was collected using a semi-structured pro forma, and levels of impulsivity in individuals attempting to end their lives were assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11.

Results: Of total patients admitted to the emergency department, 8.8% had a history of suicide attempts. Most individuals were young (50%); males and females constituted an equal proportion, and the most common method used was insecticide poisoning (35.6%). Impulsivity was seen in 47% of individuals who presented with a suicide attempt. High impulsivity was seen in individuals using insecticide poisoning and other poisons.

Conclusion: A person's intention to end life even once increases the risk of multiple suicide attempts and even loss of life. The role of impulsivity in suicide attempts, especially in youth, is significantly high. Hence, one has to be vigilant enough to identify and provide necessary psychiatric help to individuals who come with suicide attempts.