Risk Factors for Suicide in HIV-Positive Patient

 

Risk factors for suicide in an HIV-positive patient:

(1) severe depression or other psychiatric comorbidity

(2) substance abuse

(3) advanced HIV disease

(4) lack of social inhibition against suicide

(5) past history of suicidal attempts or deliberate self-harm

 

Triggers for suicide may include:

(1) initial diagnosis

(2) diagnosis of a cancer or other terminal disease

(3) rejection by family, friends and/or society

(4) financial difficulties

 

A patient with multiple risk factors is at increased risk for suicide, especially if a trigger is present.