Physical illness, pain, and suicidal behavior.

The relevant literature on the relationship between physical illness and suicide is briefly reviewed. Some important studies on the relationship between pain from physical illnesses like duodenal ulcer, uterine diseases (dysmenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding) and suicide are referred to. The Madurai studies reveal that high scores on hopelessness and suicide intent in patients with pain from duodenal ulcer, dysmenorrhea, and other uterine problems are associated with suicidal behavior. The need for assessing the suicide risk in such patients under the care of nonpsychiatric medical personnel is discussed. A simple, easy-to-administer questionnaire is presented.