Comparison of completed and attempted suicide in Akita, Japan

Abstract

To determine the factors underlying suicide in Akita prefecture, a questionnaire survey was conducted among members of the Akita Prefectural Medical Association (APMA), regarding suicide cases they attended. During the investigation period (1 July 2001-30 June 2002), the total number of suicide cases was 243 (138 completed, 105 attempted). Significant differences were identified between completed and attempted suicide groups in terms of gender, age distribution, and suicidal methods. Specifically, in the completed suicide group, the number of male completers exceeded that of female completers, the number of middle-aged or elderly completers was high, and the majority of completed suicide cases involved hanging as the suicide method. Conversely, in the attempted suicide group, the number of female attempters exceeded that of male attempters, younger attempters were frequent, hanging was rare, and drug overdose or cutting was common. In addition, the number of cases involving a history of previous suicide attempts was significantly higher in the attempted suicide group than in the completed suicide group. The results of the present study support the concept that the completed and attempted suicide groups are essentially of a different nature. Furthermore, the number of cases involving a history of previous suicide attempts was found to be significantly lower in the completed suicide group than in the attempted suicide group. This result indicates the difficulty in decreasing the number of completed suicides by simply providing intervention and care for individuals who have attempted suicide.

Association of Plasma Cortisol Levels with Clinical Characteristics of Suicide Attempters

“…The question of 2 populations of suicidal people is old, based mostly on epidemiologic data [38,39]. In a more recent study, Fushimi et al [40] compared completed with attempted suicide, and found more frequent younger subjects and subjects with a history of suicide attempts in the second group.…”

Suicide by Cop: Police shooting as a method of self-harming

“…The demographics remain stable with suicides completed at the highest rate by White older males, and suicide attempts by teens, young adults, women, and African Americans (Spicer & Miller, 2000). Other studied risk factors besides previous suicide attempts include maladaptive personality traits such as impulsivity and aggression (Brezo et al, 2007;Wyder & DeLeo, 2007); psychiatric diagnoses such as bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia (Fushimi et al, 2006;Hamlin, 2004;Keilp et al, 2006); psychological factors such as depression, hopelessness, social problem-solving deficits, and cognitive distortions (Pollock & Williams, 2004;Yufit & Lester, 2005); experiential trauma such as child physical or sexual abuse (Brezo et al, 2007), and drug abuse/dependence (Brezo et al, 2007;Hamlin, 2004). Sher and colleagues (2007) concluded that depressed suicide attempters with comorbid alcohol-use disorders had higher aggression and impulsivity levels; so they often had higher rates of lethality compared to other groups without alcohol-use disorders.…”

“…While theories surrounding a subject's motivation to die have evolved, the capability to measure plausible intent remains out-ofreach, requiring researchers to identify risk factors and their relationships to suicide (Brezo et al, 2007;Brown et al, 2005;Forman, Berk, Henreques, Brown & Beck, 2004;Fushimi et al, 2006;Jollant et al, 2005;Keilp et al, 2006;Wyder & DeLeo, 2007;Zalsman et al, 2006;Zhang & Lester, 2008). The field of suicidology focuses on the identification of risks that strengthen and intervention/prevention strategies that weaken the association between strain and suicide ideation and attempts.…”

“…Much of the research on intent relies on self-report of suicide attempters or the comparison of individual characteristics among those individuals who commit suicide and other populations (Brezo et al 2007;Brown, Steer, Henriques & Beck, 2005;Forman, Berk, Henreques, Brown & Beck, 2004;Fushimi, Sugawara & Saito, 2006;Jollant et al, 2005;Keilp et al, 2006;Wyder & DeLeo, 2007;Zalsman et al, 2006). In the instances of police-involved shootings that might be considered subject-precipitated, the criterion of self-infliction vanishes, so the actions by the subjects must be carefully analyzed to assess the possibility of the subjects' intent to die.…”

The Role of Mental Health in Police-Reported Suicides

“…When the individual involves the police, then a larger circle of highly emotional people are involved reviewing, judging, condemning, and redressing. Mental illness and consequently the treatment of mental illness are often included in the formula of suicide and suicide prevention (Fushimi, Sugawara, & Saito, 2006;Hamlin, 2004;Keilp et al, 2006;Lord, 2000;Yufit & Lester, 2005). The police are the front-line responders for mental health emergencies (Steadman, Morrisey, Deane, & Borum, 1999), including suicide attempts.…”