Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9738

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Publication type: Journal Article

Backman J.
Use of antidepressants in deliberate self-poisoning - Psychiatric diagnoses and drugs used between 1987 and 1997 in Lund, Sweden
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 2003; 38:(12):684-689
http://link.springer-ny.com

Abstract:

Objective. Based on the increased prescription of antidepressants, the aim of this study was to analyse the changes in self-poisonings with antidepressants during the period 1987-1997. Methods. A total of 909 patients who were admitted to hospital after deliberate self-poisoning were investigated regarding psychiatric diagnoses and drugs ingested. Results. In the whole group, there was no significant change in the rate of antidepressant overdoses between 1987 and 1990 (20%) and 1995 and 1997 (17%), but among females with a mood disorder overdoses decreased from 43 % to 22 % (p = 0.01). The proportion of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in self-poisonings was significantly lower than expected from sales figures. Conclusion. The increased antidepressant sales have not caused an increased use of antidepressants in self-poisonings. It is, therefore, tempting to assume that an increased use of antidepressants for appropriate indications causes decreased self-poisoning rates.