Two important risk factors in committed suicides: Existance of physical illness and inadequacy of psychiatric treatment

Objective: In this study we aimed to determine whether there is role of existance of physical illness and inadequacy of psychiatric treatment in committed suicides or not. Method: Between the dates 1.1.1996-31.6.1997 police notes were reviewed about committed suicides in Istanbul. Then the persons in that list were checked to see if they had been treated in Bakirkoy Mental Hospital(n=48). The files of persons who committed suicide and who were treated there, were surveyed about physical illness and inadequacy of treatment with the aid of a semi-structured form. A matched group who didn't commit suicide but have same first axis diagnosis, same gender and age were used as a control group(n=48). Results: In the suicide group physical illness and drug treatment with inadequate doses are found to be more frequent than the control group. Conclusion: To decrease the suicide risk of patients we should treat them with drugs in adequate doses and also consider whether they have a physical illness or not . And if there is a physical illness, it should be evaluated immediately and treated with the same importance as psychiatric illness.