Aborted Suicide Attempts: a new Classification of Suicidal Behavior

A random sample of 135 adult psychiatric inpatients were interviewed concerning suicidal behaviour. Suicidal intent was assessed for aborted suicide attempts & actual attempts, as well as degree of injury for actual attempts. Over half of the sample reported at least one aborted suicide attempt. Aborted attempts had a similar level of intent as actual attempts & were highly associated with actual attempts. Clinicians should specifically ask about aborted attempts as part of the suicide history.