How safe are psychiatric medications after a voluntary overdose?

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 466-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Baca-García ◽  
Carmen Diaz-Sastre ◽  
Jeronimo Saiz-Ruiz ◽  
Jose de Leon
Keyword(s):  
General Hospital ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressants ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Prescription Dose

SummaryPurpose.This study assessed psychiatric medications and their potential lethality in a representative sample of suicide attempts.Materials and methods.During 1996–98, 563 suicide attempts were studied in a general hospital in Madrid (Spain). Medication overdose was used in 456 suicide attempts (81%). The ratio between dose taken and maximum prescription dose recommended was used to evaluate the medication toxicity.Results.Benzodiazepines were the drugs most often used in self-poisoning (65% of overdoses), followed by new antidepressants (11%), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (10%), and antipsychotics (8%). An overdose with any of the three latter psychiatric medications was significantly more frequent in patients prescribed those medications. The overdoses for TCA were potentially lethal in 47% of the cases. However, all patients who overdosed on psychiatric medications recovered well and were discharged without any sequelae.Discussion.This study suggests that psychiatric medications, particularly benzodiazepines, new antidepressants and antipsychotics, are relatively safe when they are used for self-poisoning. If patients with mental illnesses are under treated, there is a clear and documented higher risk for suicide.Conclusion.It is better to prescribe psychiatric medications, particularly the new ones, rather than withhold them due to an exaggerated fear of a lethal overdose

Genetic Counselling in Psychiatric Disorder with High Suicide Risk

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S101-S101
Author(s):  
D. Cozman ◽  
R. Moldovan ◽  
B. Nemes
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Genetic Counselling ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Past History ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Death Wishes ◽  
Suicidal Plans ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionA better understanding of the genomics of mental illnesses allowed genetic counselling to be provided to individuals with severe mental illness and their families.AimThe present study was aimed at assessing the efficacy of genetic counselling for severe mental illnesses with high suicide risk.MethodAssessment was performed before and after genetic counselling session. Measures used were evaluation of traumatic events in childhood, multidimensional scale for perception of social support (SMSSP), positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS-X), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Paykel questionnaire and Genetic Counselling Outcome Scale (GCOS). Paykel's questionnaire consists of five questions about suicidal thoughts and attempts, including: life-weariness, death wishes, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans and suicide attempts. Intervention and assessment lasted approximately one and a half hour. Data from 48 patients was analysed.ResultsMean age of participants was M = 38.4, SD = 9.7, and the group was batter represented by females (57%). The participants had various diagnoses, 22% had schizophrenia, 36% bipolar disorder and 42% recurrent depressive disorder. Forty percent of participants reported suicidal ideation and 22,5% had a past history of suicide attempt. Genetic counselling had a direct positive influence upon GCOS specific items and reduced the Paykel scores among participants presenting with suicidal ideation.ConclusionGenetic counselling offers information about the disorder, the role of genetics and the impact of environmental factors. Preliminary data suggest that providing genetic counselling decreases the suicidal ideation frequency.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Exploring the phenomenon of suicidal behaviour (SB): An explanatory, mixed-method study in rural Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Wahab Yousafzai ◽  
Sheraz Ahmad Khan ◽  
Shakila Bano ◽  
Murad Moosa Khan
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Rural Pakistan ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background: Despite scientific literature and media reports of rising cases of suicide and attempted suicide in different parts of Pakistan, the extent of this problem remains unknown, particularly from outside the main urban centres of the country. Aims: To report data on Suicidal Behaviour (SB) from Malakand Division, a rural and marginalised part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, explore aetiological factors and propose preventive strategies. Methods: This study followed an explanatory, mixed-method study design. The first part quantitative [QUANT] comprised of police reports on suicidal behaviour, from 2001 till first 8 months of 2018. Detailed analysis of only data from 2013 was undertaken, as data prior to 2013 contained insufficient information. The second part that is, qualitative (QUAL) consisted of in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders. A mixed method of inductive and deductive analytical approach was used. Results: From 2013 until the first quarter of 2018, the police recorded 1,645 attempts of both males and females of which 144 (8.75%) resulted in fatalities. Suicide attempts rose by 83.4% over the 5 years and 8 months. Approximately, 43.3% of the attempts were attributed to ‘depression’. Domestic abuse was reported in 49.6% of cases. Of the total victims, 1,049 (63.7%) were females, whereas 60.1% were married. Ingestion of the organophosphates poison (pesticide) was reported in 53.2% ( n = 999) of suicide attempts. In more than 90% of the non-fatal suicide attempts, victims were booked under punitive laws. Poor socio-economic status, inter-personal stressors, violence against women and mental illnesses were the major causes of suicidal behaviour in Malakand [QUAL]. Investment in human development, strengthening of the healthcare system, de-stigmatisation of mental illnesses and women empowerment could possibly prevent suicidal behaviour in Malakand [QUAL]. Conclusion: SB in Malakand Division is steadily increasing. The increase is more evident in vulnerable populations such as women and the younger population. ‘Psychosocial stressors’ and ‘depression’ were the main causes of suicidal behaviour. A broad-based, proactive, multi-sectorial approach is needed to prevent SB in the region.

P.1.k.013 Transversal study on severe suicide attempts and related factors in patients admitted to a general hospital

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. S348
Author(s):  
S. Mansilla Sánchez ◽  
A. Bastidas ◽  
A. Batalla ◽  
P. Castellví ◽  
L. Pintor
Keyword(s):  
General Hospital ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Transversal Study

Suicide Attempts and Financial Crisis in Greece: Recorded Changes in a General Hospital

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 1367
Author(s):  
G. Avraam ◽  
G.M. Papageorgiou ◽  
T.H. Vorvolakos
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Suicide Attempts

scholarly journals Associations between Abortion, Mental Disorders, and Suicidal Behaviour in a Nationally Representative Sample

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie P Mota ◽  
Margaret Burnett ◽  
Jitender Sareen
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
World Health ◽  
Population Attributable Fractions ◽  
Attributable Fractions ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objective: Most previous studies that have investigated the relation between abortion and mental illness have presented mixed findings. We examined the relation between abortion, mental disorders, and suicidality using a US nationally representative sample. Methods: Data came from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication ( n = 3310 women, aged 18 years and older). The World Health Organization-Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess mental disorders based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria and lifetime abortion in women. Multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to examine associations between abortion and lifetime mood, anxiety, substance use, eating, and disruptive behaviour disorders, as well as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We calculated the percentage of respondents whose mental disorder came after the first abortion. The role of violence was also explored. Population attributable fractions were calculated for significant associations between abortion and mental disorders. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographics, abortion was associated with an increased likelihood of several mental disorders—mood disorders (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] ranging from 1.75 to 1.91), anxiety disorders (AOR ranging from 1.87 to 1.91), substance use disorders (AOR ranging from 3.14 to 4.99), as well as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts (AOR ranging from 1.97 to 2.18). Adjusting for violence weakened some of these associations. Forall disorders examined, less than one-half of women reported that their mental disorder had begun after the first abortion. Population attributable fractions ranged from 5.8% (suicidal ideation) to 24.7% (drug abuse). Conclusions: Our study confirms a strong association between abortion and mental disorders. Possible mechanisms of this relation are discussed.

scholarly journals Illegible Handwriting in Medical Records

2002 ◽  
Vol 95 (11) ◽  
pp. 545-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Javier Rodríguez-Vera ◽  
Y Marín ◽  
A Sánchez ◽  
C Borrachero ◽  
E Pujol
Keyword(s):  
General Hospital ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Clinical Records

In clinical records many items are handwritten and difficult to read. We examined clinical histories in a representative sample of case notes from a Spanish general hospital. Two independent observers assigned legibility scores, and a third adjudicated in case of disagreement. Defects of legibility such that the whole was unclear were present in 18 (15%) of 117 reports, and were particularly frequent in records from surgical departments. Through poor handwriting, much information in medical records is inaccessible to auditors, to researchers, and to other clinicians involved in the patient's care. If clinicians cannot be persuaded to write legibly, the solution must be an accelerated switch to computer-based systems.

The Risk of Child Abuse among Mothers who Attempt Suicide

1985 ◽  
Vol 146 (5) ◽  
pp. 486-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Hawton ◽  
Jacqueline Roberts ◽  
Guy Goodwin
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
General Population ◽  
Young Children ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Not At Risk ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryThe association between parental attempted suicide and child abuse was investigated in 114 mothers with children aged five years and under, referred to a general hospital following suicide attempts. The risk was greatly increased in the attempted suicide mothers, compared with both similar mothers at risk for depression and general population control mothers; well-documented risk of child abuse was identified in 29.8% of those who attempted suicide. No major differences were found between the attempted suicide mothers whose children were at risk and those whose children were not at risk. During the general hospital assessment of mothers with young children who attempt suicide, careful enquiry concerning the relationship with the children is essential

scholarly journals An Assessment of Magnitudes and Patterns of Socioeconomic Inequalities across Various Health Problems: A Large National Cross-Sectional Survey in Korea

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Yeon Shin ◽  
Jiseun Lim ◽  
Myung Ki ◽  
Yeong-Jun Song ◽  
Heeran Chun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Magnitudes of health inequalities present consequences of socioeconomic impact on each health problem. To provide knowledge on the size of health problems in terms of socioeconomic burden, we examined the magnitudes and patterns of health inequalities across 12 health problems. A total of 17,292 participants older than 30 years were drawn from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2010–2012). The age-adjusted prevalence ratios were compared across socioeconomic positions (SEPs) based on income, education, and occupation. The magnitudes of socioeconomic inequalities varied across 12 health problems and, in general, the patterns of socioeconomic inequalities were similar among groups of health problems (i.e., non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and subjective health states). Significant health inequalities across NCDs, such as diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and arthritis, were observed mainly in women. Socioeconomic inequalities in mental health problems, such as depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts, were profound for both genders and across SEP measures. Significant socioeconomic inequalities were also observed for subjective health. No or weak associations were observed for injury and HBV infection. The patterns of socioeconomic inequalities were similar among groups of health problems. Mental illnesses appeared to require prioritization of socioeconomic approaches for improvement in terms of absolute prevalence and relative socioeconomic distribution.

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