One-Hundred Cases of Suicide in Budapest: a Case-Controlled Psychological Autopsy Study

A case-controlled psychological autopsy of 100 successive suicides in Budapest was performed, examining for the presence of major depression & substance abuse. Among suicide victims, psychosocial stress, oppressive experiences, & interpersonal relationship disorders were much more frequent & behavioural changes occurred more often in the weeks preceding death compared to the control group. Multiple suicide attempts were predictive of later fatal acts. Severe alcoholism was found in 33% of suicide cases & substance abuse occurred in 14%. The data emphasize again that alcoholism seems to be one of the most serious problems in Hungary. (26 refs.)