Successful Suicides and Serious Attempts in a General Hospital Over a 15-Year Period

The occurrence of suicide in the general hospital was studied in terms of incidence, age groups, & diagnostic category. The authors describe both physical & psychiatric syndromes that seem to be connected with higher vulnerability for self-destructive acts. Suicidal behaviour was not found to be a random or impulsive act, but rather the final expression in action of already communicated clues in many instances. The bimodal distribution of two separate age & diagnostic groups is described & can serve as a basis for a heightened awareness of the suicidal potential in these patients.