Year: 1977 Source: Annual Meeting of the American Association of Suicidology, (10th: 1977: Boston), p.29-30 SIEC No: 19860050

Therapeutic doses of certain medications can alter or impair the thought processes of susceptible patients. A diagnosis of drug-induced organic mental disorder may be appropriate for some attempted & completed suicides who present as drug overdoses. The process of automatism is defined by the author”as nonreflexive, directed & apparently purposive motor behavior performed without full consciousness of what is being done & followed by grossly incomplete recollection or insight”. (p.29) (NBB)