Suicide screenings may overlook 20% of at-risk patients

About one-fifth of people who attempt suicide don't meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder, a recent study found.

The study, published Feb. 21 in JAMA Psychiatry, used data from the U.S. National Epidemiologic Study of Addictions and Related Conditions III and a face-to-face survey to determine the lifetime suicide attempts and psychiatric diagnosis.

Of the sample of more than 36,000 respondents, 1,948 had lifetime suicide attempts, 66.8% were female, and 6.2% had no apparent lifetime psychiatric diagnosis.

Here are four more findings:

1. About 13% of respondents made their first suicide attempt prior to psychiatric disorder onset. 
   
   
2. An estimated 19.6% had a first attempt without an antecedent psychiatric disorder. 
   
   
3. Women were more likely than men to attempt suicide in the year of psychiatric disorder onset.
   
   
4. Suicide attempts were less frequent among adults aged 50 to 65.