Objective: Suicide attempt is rarely reported in dementia. This study explores the clinical and phenomenological aspects as well as the treatment of Chinese demented patients who have attempted suicide.
Methods: During a 1-year period, demented patients admitted to a geropsychiatric unit as a result of suicide attempt were investigated for factors related to suicide attempt, such as motives and method.
Results: In this 1-year survey, seven demented patients (11.7% of all demented patients) were admitted immediately following a suicide attempt. All seven patients had mild or moderate dementia. Three had significant clinical depression symptoms on admission. In all patients, delusions were the primary cause of suicide attempt. Their suicidal ideations were improved with antipsychotic and antidepressant treatment.
Conclusion: These cases, taken together, suggest that suicide attempt can occur in patients with dementia. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the risk of suicide in patients with dementia, especially those associated with delusions, even if they have no major depression or suicide attempt history. Antidepressants and antipsychotics may play a critical role in the treatment of suicide attempt in dementia.
Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.