Which of the following is NOT a factor in the SAD PERSONS suicide risk assessment?

• A. Sex
• B. Age
• C. Depression
• D. Sleep disturbance

Answer: (D)

The idea behind this assessment tool is to quickly screen for suicide risk by looking at a defined set of factors that have been linked to higher risk. In SAD PERSONS, the factors include sex (male), age (outside the typical adult range), depression, a prior suicide attempt, ethanol or drug use, loss of rational thinking (such as psychosis), lack of social supports, an organized plan, not having a spouse, and the presence of a medical illness. Sleep disturbance isn’t one of those factors, so it doesn’t contribute to the risk score in this tool. The other items are the factors the scale uses to flag higher risk, whereas sleep disturbance can be a symptom in various conditions but isn’t part of this specific checklist.