Self-Poisonings With Medicines as a Method of Parasuicide in a Distinct Epidemiological Suburban Area of Stockholm, Sweden (IN: Suicide Attempts in the Nordic Countries, ed. by T Bjerke & T C Stiles)

The medicines used as a method of parasuicide were studied as part of an ongoing WHO study on parasuicide in a distinct catchment area of greater Stockholm. The relative use of such medicines was obtained from a survey of pharamaceutical prescriptions. The impression that hypnotics-tranquillers were most commonly used was confirmed. Antidepressants were less commonly used. This low rate of antidepressant use might reflect a failure to diagnose & treat depressive disorders in this population.