Chapter
Suicide Risk and Treatment Problems in Patients who Have Attempted Suicide (IN: Current Concepts of Suicide, edited by D Lester)
Moller H J
The best predictor of suicidal behavior is previous suicide attempts. Patients who have attempted suicide must receive sufficient care to reduce immediate & long term risk of further suicide behavior. Postdischarge after-care of patients is a problem as only 30-40% of patients make use of after-care opportunities & only about 12% of suicide attempters are transferred to psychiatric hospitals. Unfavorable mood states could serve as an aid in the diagnosis of imminent suicidal behavior.