The Influence of Antidepressants in Overdose on the Increased Suicide Rate in Ireland Between 1971 and 1988

There has been almost a threefold increase in the suicide rate in Ireland during the past 20 years. When each case between 1971 & 1988 was reviewed, the major causes of death were found to be drowning & hanging. Deliberate overdoses with tricyclic antidepressants accounted for less than 4% of all suicides over the 17 years studied. This finding suggests that greater attention should be paid to identifying & treating the majority of suicidal patients who are at risk by other methods. (13 refs.)