Psychiatric diagnosis, gender, aggression, and mode of attempt in patients with single versus repeated suicide attempts

•Clinical data of patients with single versus repeated suicide attempts were compared.•Highest frequencies of patients with repeated attempts in bipolar disorder, and•Lowest frequencies of these patients in adjustment/personality disorders.•Females with repeated attempts were more likely to use non-violent mode of attempt.•Higher aggression and hostility in females with repeated attempts and mood disorder. There is evidence that patients with multiple suicide attempts in their history are at greater risk to repeat attempt and eventually die by suicide compared to those with a single attempt. This cross–sectional study aimed to explore possible differences in clinical characteristics between patients with a single attempt and patients with repeated attempts. Two hundred thirty one patients hospitalised in psychiatric department after suicide attempt were studied. Comparisons were made in relation to age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, aggression, depression severity, suicide intent and mode of attempt. Highest frequencies of patients with repeated attempts were found for bipolar disorder (69%) and lowest for adjustment/personality disorders (39%). In patients with repeated attempts, female gender was associated with non-violent attempt mode. Depressive symptomatology was higher in patients with repeated attempts among females. In patients with depression those with repeated attempts were younger than patients with single attempt. In patients with mood disorders, total aggression and hostility scores were higher in females with repeated attempts but not in males. Psychiatric diagnosis, gender and attempt mode are features that differentiate patients with single and repeated attempts and should be considered to identify patients at increased risk to repeat attempt and design effective prevention interventions.