Management of Suicidal Patients in Medical Practice (IN: The Psychology of Suicide: a Clinician’s Guide to Evaluation and Treatment, edited by E S Shneidman, N L Farberow, & R E Litman)

This chapter discusses the physician’s role in the evaluation & treatment of suicidal patients. Prodromal suicidal clues are outlined. Information which should be gathered in the evaluation of suicide potential, e.g. a specific plan, is discussed. Intervention techniques that physicians could employ are briefly presented; they include: emergency medical care, drug therapies, emergency psychological support, the use of family & friends, constructive action, & consultation & referral.