Epidemiological, Social and Psychiatric Aspects in Self-Poisoned Patients: a Prospective Comparative Study From Trondheim, Norway Between 1978 and 1987

A prospective study of an unselected group of patients admitted in a Medical Department in 1978 & 1987 after deliberate self-poisoning is presented. Family problems, unemployment, poor social conditions & alcohol & drug abuse had increased over the study period. The 10-yr mortality rate was 4.5 & 4.1 times the expected value for female & male patients respectively. It is concluded that social & psychiatric problems are increasing & that the treatment of these patients today is not satisfactory.