Analysis of Suicide Attempt Cases Treated at the Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital of Addis Ababa)
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to find out perceived precipitants and
psychological experiences of suicide attempters and the treatment available to
them at the Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital of Addis Ababa. Five people
who had attempted suicide (3 male, 2 female), their parents or care givers as
well as two Psychiatrists who had direct involvement with the suicide
attempters were conveniently selected from in-patients of Amanuel Mental
Specialized hospital as participants of this study. Data for the study was
collected through interview and from patients' medical files.
Qualitative case study research was used to analyze the data gathered.
Results of the study showed that psychiatric illness was the main cause for
the suicide attempts made by the participants. Psychiatric illnesses as
depression, schizophrenia, psychosis and some others as mild retardation and
epilepsy were the diagnosed causes of suicide attempts. Some factors to
whom the causes were attributed in the suicide attempters were stressful life
events, being dependent or unemployed and hereditary factors. Hopelessness,
worthlessness, suspiciousness, sadness and anger were the psychological
experiences encountered by the suicide attempters which were directly related
to the diagnosed psychiatric illnesses in some of the participants .
As to available services at the Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital,
psychotherapy and medical treatments were attended by all suicide
attempters. Antidepressants, Antipsychotics and ECT (Electro Compulsive
Treatment) were types of medication which were made available for the
suicide attempters. Individual, group and family therapy were also given for
the suicide attempters.
It was recommended that curing the already inflicted psychological problems
and trying to address the precipitants of suicide to be important intervention
strategies to prevent further suicide cases.
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Keywords
psychological experiences of suicide attempters