Personality Traits among Psychiatric Out-patients with Suicide Attempt Attending Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal
Background-
Suicide attempt is a self-injurious behaviour with a nonfatal outcome. Studies report increasing hospital admissions due to self-inflicted harm (SIH) as well as a higher likelihood of associated psychosocial factors in SIH cases. We conducted a study to explore personality traits, socio-demographic profiles and psychiatric disorders among the suicide attempt cases in a tertiary care hospital setting of eastern Nepal.
Methods-
It was a descriptive study conducted with purposive sampling in a tertiary care hospital among suicide attempt cases who visited to out-patient department of psychiatry. A total of 113 cases (calculated sample size) were enrolled after written informed consent within study period of 1 year. Personality traits were analyzed by using ‘Personality Trait Inventory’ questionnaire. Psychiatric diagnosis was made as per the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Demographic variables were recorded in a semi-structured proforma.
Results-
Majority of the subjects were female, married and literate, with the most common age group being 20–29 and < 20 years. Most of them were Hindu, from low socioeconomic status, joint family and cities, and were homemakers. Poisoning was the most common mode of suicide attempt and organo-phosphorous compounds the most common poison used. Some (13.3%) had past and 5.3% had family history of suicidal attempt. Most cases 63 (55.8%) were referred from Departments of Internal Medicine, followed by Emergency 28 (24.8%), self 18 (15.9%) and Paediatrics 4 (3.5%). The common ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses were: Substance use disorder, main being alcohol (42%), Adjustment (34%) and mood disorders (22%). Emotional instability trait was the most common Personality Trait 70 (61.9%), followed by Depressive tendency 46 (40.7%). Personality disorder was present in 34%; most common being Emotionally unstable personality disorder.
Conclusions-
Emotional instability trait was found in the highest number of suicide attempt patients.
Figure 1
Posted 17 Jun, 2020
Received 14 Nov, 2020
On 14 Nov, 2020
On 04 Nov, 2020
Received 26 Aug, 2020
On 06 Aug, 2020
Invitations sent on 19 Jun, 2020
On 09 Jun, 2020
On 09 Jun, 2020
On 08 Jun, 2020
On 08 Jun, 2020
Personality Traits among Psychiatric Out-patients with Suicide Attempt Attending Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal
Posted 17 Jun, 2020
Received 14 Nov, 2020
On 14 Nov, 2020
On 04 Nov, 2020
Received 26 Aug, 2020
On 06 Aug, 2020
Invitations sent on 19 Jun, 2020
On 09 Jun, 2020
On 09 Jun, 2020
On 08 Jun, 2020
On 08 Jun, 2020
Background-
Suicide attempt is a self-injurious behaviour with a nonfatal outcome. Studies report increasing hospital admissions due to self-inflicted harm (SIH) as well as a higher likelihood of associated psychosocial factors in SIH cases. We conducted a study to explore personality traits, socio-demographic profiles and psychiatric disorders among the suicide attempt cases in a tertiary care hospital setting of eastern Nepal.
Methods-
It was a descriptive study conducted with purposive sampling in a tertiary care hospital among suicide attempt cases who visited to out-patient department of psychiatry. A total of 113 cases (calculated sample size) were enrolled after written informed consent within study period of 1 year. Personality traits were analyzed by using ‘Personality Trait Inventory’ questionnaire. Psychiatric diagnosis was made as per the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Demographic variables were recorded in a semi-structured proforma.
Results-
Majority of the subjects were female, married and literate, with the most common age group being 20–29 and < 20 years. Most of them were Hindu, from low socioeconomic status, joint family and cities, and were homemakers. Poisoning was the most common mode of suicide attempt and organo-phosphorous compounds the most common poison used. Some (13.3%) had past and 5.3% had family history of suicidal attempt. Most cases 63 (55.8%) were referred from Departments of Internal Medicine, followed by Emergency 28 (24.8%), self 18 (15.9%) and Paediatrics 4 (3.5%). The common ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses were: Substance use disorder, main being alcohol (42%), Adjustment (34%) and mood disorders (22%). Emotional instability trait was the most common Personality Trait 70 (61.9%), followed by Depressive tendency 46 (40.7%). Personality disorder was present in 34%; most common being Emotionally unstable personality disorder.
Conclusions-
Emotional instability trait was found in the highest number of suicide attempt patients.
Figure 1