Suicide psychiatric evaluation
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Suicide Microchapters |
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Treatment |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Iqra Qamar M.D.[2]
Overview
Psychiatric evaluation
| "MALPRACTICE" mnemonic for evaluation of suicidal child or adolescent | |
|---|---|
| M- Mental health | Does the patient have a psychiatric diagnosis? |
| Is he or she taking psychotropic medications? | |
| Is there a family history of mental health illness? | |
| A -Attempts | When did the patient first consider suicide? |
| Has the patient tried to harm him- or herself before? | |
| Did he or she receive medical attention for that attempt? | |
| L -Lethality | Did the patient want to die? |
| Does he or she still want to? | |
| Does he or she have access to lethal means? | |
| P -Plans | Is the patient able to make plans for the future? |
| Will he or she graduate from school? | |
| What kind of job will he or she do? | |
| R -Risk-taking | Is the patient engaging in activities that may be disguised attempts at self-harm? |
| Is the patient engaging in unprotected sexual activity? | |
| A -Alcohol and drugs | Were substances involved in the current attempt? |
| For how long have substances been used? | |
| What substances are being used? | |
| When was the last use? | |
| C -Conflict | Is there an interpersonal conflict that precipitated this event? |
| T -Trauma | Does the patient report having been physically or sexually abused? |
| Has the patient been a witness to violence? | |
| Has the patient recently lost a loved one? | |
| I -Impulsivity | Was the act premeditated? |
| How much planning went into the suicide attempt? | |
| Was a suicide note written? | |
| Did the patient tell anyone about his or her plans? | |
| C -Community resources | Does the patient have a social support system? |
| E -Exposure | Have other family members or friends attempted or completed suicide? |
| Has the patient been exposed to suicide in the media? | |
| Is this attempt part of a suicide epidemic? | |