Psychiatric Management of Suicide Problems in Military Service

This study describes a group of outpatients who had threatened or attempted suicide & were brought to the attention of military psychiatrists. This group was compared with a similar number of nonsuicidal patients. The suicidal group were younger, had less time in service & were more frequently diagnosed with character disorders & immaturity reactions. The frequency of attempts was higher among enlistees than draftees. Patients were not hospitalized nor were they seen for a second time. (11 refs)