Aspects of suicide and parasuicide

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Abstract
Aspects of human suicidal behavior in Edinburgh [United Kingdom] from 1968-1974 were examined. The data referred to 478 suicidal deaths and to parasuicide (attempted suicide) admissions to the Regional Poisoning Treatment Center (R.P.T.C.). Of suicides 28% had had a parasuicide admission and there was some evidence of a slight excess of deaths in the years immediately following parasuicide. Among suicides preceded by parasuicide, those with a recent episode (within 2 yr of death) were essentially similar to those with a longer interval. A history of previous parasuicide at any time was important in delineating 2 groups of suicide. Suicides with prior parasuicide died more often from poisoning with drugs and were more likely to have a history of psychiatric treatment; suicides without prior parasuicide died more often from poisoning with domestic gas or violent means, were older, of higher social class and less often married. Parasuicides who killed themselves within 2 yr of admission to the R.P.T.C. were compared with a group of (broadly non-suicidal) parasuicides. A scale predictive of repetition of parasuicidal behavior was used in an attempt to distinguish parasuicides who killed themselves from those who did not. The scale did not discriminate between the 2 groups.

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