[On the problem of the "Seriousness" of suicide attempts].

Abstract

In 15.3% of 295 hospitalized suicide attempters (94% with intoxication) severe intoxication that would have had a lethal outcome without medical treatment was significantly associated with previously described factors characterizing persons who committed suicide. A strong death wish (47.3%), as judged by physicians, was highly associated with almost the same factors. A high degree of physical harm and a firm intention to die correlated significantly with the intensity of care during hospitalization and after discharge from the emergency unit.