Suicide and Attempted Suicide (IN: The Medical Basis of Psychiatry, ed. by G Winokur & P Clayton)

An overview of suicide & attempted suicide is given. Etiology of suicide is discussed (e.g. the existence of affective disorders or a family history of suicide). Methods in which suicide occurs are listed. Demographic information is given. The clinical understanding of suicide, its diagnosis and its treatment are outlined. A discussion on attempted suicide follows. Its sections consist of: a definition, its etiology, epidemiology, clinical picture & clinical understanding. (59 refs.)