In the context of diagnosing psychological disorders, which patient is least likely to be in danger of committing suicide?

• A. A patient with a history of previous suicide attempts and current feelings of hopelessness
• B. A patient with mild depressive symptoms who has strong social support and no history of suicide attempts
• C. A patient experiencing severe depression with frequent thoughts of death and social isolation
• D. A patient recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital after a severe depressive episode

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key risk factors for suicide in psychological disorders, which typically include a history of previous suicide attempts, severity of depressive symptoms, feelings of hopelessness, social isolation, and recent psychiatric hospitalization.
2. Step 2: Analyze each patient's profile by identifying the presence or absence of these risk factors. For example, a patient with previous suicide attempts and hopelessness has high risk, while strong social support can be a protective factor.
3. Step 3: Recognize that mild depressive symptoms combined with strong social support and no history of suicide attempts generally indicate a lower risk of suicide compared to severe depression or recent hospitalization.
4. Step 4: Compare the patients by weighing their risk and protective factors, focusing on which patient has the fewest risk factors and the most protective factors.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the patient with mild depressive symptoms, strong social support, and no history of suicide attempts is least likely to be in danger of committing suicide.