Distribution of scores on the desire-for-death rating scale (n=377)
| Desire for death score | Description | Number of patients | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | No desire for death | 262 | 69.5 |
| 1 | Minimal—eg, only occasionally has fleeting thoughts | 38 | 10.1 |
| 2 | Mild—eg, sometimes feels he/she would like an early death, but not always | 31 | 8.2 |
| 3 | Moderate—eg, has a genuine desire for early death that is reported to be consistent over time, but is not consumed with the prospect | 11 | 2.9 |
| 4 | Strong—eg, most of the time feels a pervasive wish for death to come soon | 14 | 3.7 |
| 5 | Severe—eg, almost all of the time has a strong desire for death to come; prays for death | 9 | 2.4 |
| 6 | Extreme—eg, constant strong desire for death to come soon; thinks of little else; often prays for death | 12 | 3.2 |