Can Death be Postponed?—The Death-Dip Phenomenon in Psychiatric Patients

Bibliographic Data

ID13630348
AuthorsTeresa Greiner (Baylor College of Medicine, corresponding author), Alex D Pokorny (Psychiatry Service, VA Medical Center Houston, Texas)
Year1990
Volume20
Issue2
Pages117-126
Publication date1990-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2190/adk5-kdlx-c5tj-wmqm
OpenAlexW1978067121
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited12

The authors explored the “death-dip phenomenon,” the previously-reported decrease in deaths occurring before significant dates, with a cohort of 4800 psychiatric patients. The dates of death were compared with each individual's birthday, with Christmas, and with New Year's Day. These comparisons were done for the total group of deaths and separately for suicide, homicide, accidental deaths, deaths from circulatory diseases, and deaths from all other causes. In general, the findings were negative. No death-dip phenomenon was identified in any group, with any grouping of cause by date. There was a significant increase in accidental death preceding birthdays. There was a suggestion that suicide deaths increased just before Christmas. Total deaths increased during the winter quarter; all other findings were negative

Accidental · Cause of death · Disease · Homicide · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Poison control · Psychiatry · Violent death · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Demography · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

Tools

Open DOI