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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

are you a SAD PERSON(S)?

Since that I am doing the Psychiatric posting right now, perhaps it would help myself if I share with you something that I have learned from the posting. But then again, this blog is not peer-reviewed, hence making it not reliable to become as the source of reference unless stated otherwise. What I am going to share is very important, as the incidence of suicide is more or less on the rise, even within the Malay community who practiced Islam.

"SAD PERSONS" (Patterson WM, Dohn HH, et al) is a rating scale that is being used as the reference for the risk of suicide of a patient. It may not be 100% reliable, sensitive and specific test. But it is quite handy to be used for screening purpose and every patient presented with suspicious trauma must be tested to rule out suicidal ideation before it's too late. More detailed tests such as Beck scale etc are used for further assessment. A depressed patient must be asked about the suicidal intention and preventive measures must be taken accordingly.

One point is given if the patient fulfill each criteria.

S - Sex : More in male
A - Age : 45 years old and above
D - Depressed and sense of worthlessness

P - Previous suicide attempt(s)
E - EtOH (Ethanol) abuse i.e. Alcoholism
R - Rational thinking (loss of,) - Evidence of psychosis*
S - Single or divorced
O - Organized plan
N - No, or lack of social support
S - Sickness : comorbid or chronic illnesses

Scoring
0-2 equals little risk
3-4 equals following patient closely
5-6 equals strongly considering hospitalization
7-10 equals a very high risk, hospitalize or commit.

* Psychosis: a loss of contact with reality, typically including delusions (false ideas about what is taking place or who one is), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things which aren't there), and disorganized thinking.

p.s. Had a terrible headache earlier today, and I missed a lecture in the afternoon. So I must read up on the topic missed.

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Reminder to myself: Must return to my previous normal sleeping pattern. It has gone haywire lately.

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