Abstract
Suicide and Psychopathology in 1,537 Patients Dependent on Prescribed Psychoactive Medications
Allgulander C~~Brandt L~~Allebeck P
The risk of suicide among patients hospitalized because of dependence on prescribed psychoactive medications was estimated among all 1,537 such patients in Stockholm, Sweden over an 8-year period. The suicide standardized mortality ratio was 41.0 among the women & 45.6 among the men who were dependent on such medications alone. It was of a similar magnitude among women & men with concurrent alcohol/street-drug abuse. Among all deaths, 38% were suicides. Primary & secondary psychiatric disorders were common. Professional treatment should entail thorough diagnostic assessment, behavioural/cognitive therapy, & a judicious use of psychoactive medications for anxiety, affective, & personality disorders. (13 refs.)