X-Message-Number: 3592 From: (David Stodolsky) Subject: CRYONICS (Fwd) CDC AIDS Daily Summary 12/23/94 Date: Sat, 31 Dec 94 16:02:39 +0100 (CET) Forward of article <> () by (Wilson, Anne): "Management of Suicidal Patients with HIV Disease" Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (11/94-12/94) Vol. 5, No. 6, P. 19; Valente, Sharon M.; Saunders, Judith M. There are higher numbers of suicidal acts among patients with HIV than among the general population. Stress related to HIV diagnosis, treatment, and medications can lead to depression--which increases suicide risk. "A lot of AIDS patients don't want to hang around 'til the end--they don't see a cure on the horizon and have no hope for recovery...Quality of life becomes the issue. People define it themselves," said one AIDS patient. Depressed people require a high quality of care based on sound scientific knowledge of evaluation of suicide. Early detection and evaluation are critical for a depressed person. Safety precautions include hospitalization and removal of the method of suicide. A nurse's responsibility is to help patients consider options that improve the quality of life, reduce patients' distress and suffering, and help patients thoroughly consider alternatives to suicide. David S. Stodolsky, PhD Internet: Tornskadestien 2, st. th. (C) Tel.: + 45 38 33 03 30 DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark Fax: + 45 38 33 88 80 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=3592