Suicide prevention by suicide detection.

Abstract Suicide prevention is based on detection followed by intervention. Detection is accomplished by being aware of known high-risk factors when interviewing patients, and keeping these in mind as high indices for potential suicide. These high-risk factors include: history of previous treatment for emotional problems; present depressive disorder, anxiety, or alcoholism; decreased physical health with multiple ailments; presence of self-blame and guilt; loss of self-control; and lack of emotional support systems. Intervention includes the use of hospitalization, psychotropic drugs, and the doctor-patient relationship.

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