Elsevier

Psychosomatics

Volume 24, Issue 4, April 1983, Pages 343-345, 348-349
Psychosomatics

Evaluation of suicidal patients: The SAD PERSONS scale

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0033-3182(83)73213-5Get rights and content

Abstract

An easily learned scale utilizing a brief acronym (SAD PERSONS), and based on ten major risk factors, is presented for assessing likelihood of a suicide attempt. A group of medical students who were taught SAD PERSONS demonstrated a significantly greater ability to accurately evaluate and make recommendations for disposition of a low-risk and a high-risk patient, as judged by three experienced psychiatrists. Conversely, a control group of students, who were not instructed in use of the scale, rated both patients at a higher risk for suicide, and made dispositions accordingly. SAD PERSONS has a positive influence on performance in evaluating suicidal patients.

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1

Dr. Dohn is now at Eglin A FB, Florida

2

Dr. Bird has returned to London, England

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