English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Depression is a major public health problem. Irrespective of socio-economic status, age, education, gender and it exists in every community. Suicidal risk is most common life-threatening situation among depressed individuals. According to World Health Organization (WHO), every year about 1 million people die from suicide and 20 times more people attempt suicide. Up to 50 % of persons with depressive disorder will make a suicide attempt at least once in their lifetime. There is a wide disparity in the rates of suicide across different countries and hence, a greater understanding of region-specific factors related to suicide would enable prevention strategies to be more culturally sensitive. We intended to study suicidal behaviour in depressive disorder in Indian population as understanding of region-specific factors related to suicide helps to plan culturally sensitive preventive strategies. METHODS 130 subjects diagnosed as suffering from depressive disorder according to International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) diagnostic criteria for research, who were having suicidal ideation were selected. The subjects were divided into two groups as suicidal attempters and non-attempters, and analysed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) to rate the severity of depression and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) to assess severity of anxiety and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) was used to assess severity of suicidal behaviour. Columbia risk assessment version was used to determine risk factors and protective factors and a semi-structured proforma was used to collect the socio-demographic details of the participants. RESULTS High HAMA and HAMD score, urban residence, unemployment and agitation were found to be significantly associated with the presence of suicidal attempt. CONCLUSIONS Urban residence, unemployment, severity of depression and anxiety, and agitation were found to be associated with increased risk of suicidal attempts. Responsibility to family or living with family was found to be associated with decreased risk of suicidal attempts. KEYWORDS Suicidal Ideation, Agitation, Depression, Anxiety