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Nine Suicide Pacts a Clinical Study of a Consecutive Series 1974–93

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Martin Brown ,
Elizabeth King  and
Brian Barraclough
Martin Brown*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital
Elizabeth King
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital
Brian Barraclough
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital
*
Dr Brown, Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital, Graham Road, Southampton SO14 0YG
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Abstract

Background

Suicide pacts are rarely discussed in the medical literature. We report here the medical and social aspects of a consecutive series of double or pact suicides.

Method

Coroners' records were examined for 722 consecutive suicides. Data were extracted from them and from medical and psychiatric records.

Results

Nine pacts (2.5% of suicides) were located: 11 of the 18 people appeared to have been mentally ill at the time of death and three more had a history of mental illness. Five had a significant medical history (three cancer).

Conclusions

Mental disorder is common in those who enter suicide pacts (mainly depression, with alcohol dependence rare). Motivations for suicide appear to be relief of mental disorder and pain.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 4 , October 1995 , pp. 448 - 451
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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References

Cohen, J. (1961) A study of suicide pacts. Medico-legal Journal, 29, 144–151.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fishbain, D. A., D'Achille, L., Barskey, S., et al (1984) A controlled study of suicide pacts. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 4, 154–157.Google Scholar
Hemphill, R. & Thornley, F. (1969) Suicide pacts. South African Medical Journal, 1, 1335–1338.Google Scholar
West, D. J. (1967) Murder followed by suicide. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
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