Suicide Attempts by Firearms and by Leaping From Heights: a Comparative Study of Survivors

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical & demographic profiles of patients who deliberately harmed themselves, either by jumping from a great height or by using firearms, & survived. Clear differences between the two groups were found. Those who jumped were more likely to be single, unemployed, & psychotic. Those who used firearms were more likely to be male, abuse alcohol, have a forensic history, & have an antisocial or borderline personality disorder. The significance of these differences is discussed. (24 refs)