Characteristics of patients with serious suicidal intentions who ultimately commit suicide.

Patients in a long-term follow-up study who had made a serious suicide threat or attempt before admission were further studied to determine if there were characteristics that discriminated between those who ultimately committed suicide and those who did not. The results showed that patients who committed suicide were more likely to have a DSM-III axis I diagnosis, to be male, and to be discharged against medical advice. Those alive at follow-up were more likely to have a borderline personality disorder, to be female, impulsive, and self-mutilating, to be discharged with medical advice, and to have a healthier postdischarge course.