Suicidal Behavior: A Distinction in Patients With Sedative Poisoning Seen in a General Hospital

A rating scale to gauge the severity of suicidal behaviour in 99 patients gauged coma, physical danger, & apparent intent with self-poisoning. Patients with depressive illness had a significantly higher mean rating on this scale than did those with personality disorder. Higher ratings were also attained for older individuals, & more females than males had attempted suicide by self-poisoning. (15 refs.) (RM)