SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG TURKISH PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemograp hic characteristics of those who attempt suicide in an Islamic country , the effect of religion on suicide attempts, and the frequency of DSM -III-R diagnoses in suicide attempters referred to the Gazi Medical Sc hool Psychiatry Department. Method: Medical records of 185 cases of su icide attempts were reviewed. Results: There was a predominance of sin gle, female subjects. Students, housewives, and employees represented the 3 largest groups. Drug overdose was the most common method of suic ide attempt, and the most common DSM-III-R diagnosis was depression. T he rate of repetition of suicide attempt was 43.3%. Conclusion: Suicid e is one of the major problems among Turkish psychiatric patients, alt hough the Islamic religion strongly disapproves of it.