Background: An important element in suicide risk assessment is the evaluation of the intended suicide method. This study aimed to compare suicide methods in different psychiatric diagnostic groups in Taiwan.
Methods: A total of 12,391 adult suicide cases between 2000 and 2004, which were recorded in official death records, were linked to Taiwan's National Health Insurance data files. A descriptive study was conducted to compare methods of suicide across different psychiatric diagnostic groups.
Results: The proportion of jumping suicide was particularly high in cases with more severe psychopathology. Compared to suicide victims without any history of psychiatric disease, the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of jumping suicide among schizophrenic, bipolar, and major depressive patients were 3.1 (95% CI: 2.6-3.7), 2.2 (95% CI: 1.8-2.7), and 1.9 (95% CI: 1.6-2.2), respectively. Charcoal burning was less frequently used by those with a history of psychiatric diagnosis.
Limitations: It is difficult to determine the reliability and validity of the claim data. Information on non-fatal acts of self-harm is unavailable.
Conclusions: Suicide victims with different psychiatric diagnoses vary in their choice of suicide methods.