Attempted Suicide: Varieties of Pre-Suicidal and Post-Suicidal States

Considers attempted suicide along psychological, psychiatric & epidimiological lines. Classified 221 cases according to 1 of 3 groups-serious, ambivalent & gesture-based on components of the presuicidal state: aim, motivation, communication, etc. Epidemiological characteristics of the 3 groups were considered. Actuarial profiles of the MMPI were used to assess the type of suicide attempt & risk. Results indicate that suicidal potential & type of attempt can be objectively tested with the MMPI.