Abstract
Suicides are Seldom Prescribed Antidepressants: Findings From a Prospective Prescription Database in Jamtland County, Sweden, 1985-95
Henriksson S~~Boethius G~~Isacsson G
This study presents data relating to prospectively monitored treatment & post-mortem toxicology of individuals who completed suicide. A case-control study of prospectively monitored pharmacological treatment in suicides & controls was done. 59 subjects who completed suicide purchased twice the number of prescriptions as the 118 controls. 16 cases received psychiatric inpatient care compared to 4 of the controls. In the last 3 months prior to suicide, 38 cases were dispensed drugs. There is a frequent use of psychotropics & psychiatric are among suicides; however, few used antidepressants & complied. Many suicides are still misdiagnosed & are not adequately treated. (25 refs.)