Suicide and Psychopathology in 1,537 Patients Dependent on Prescribed Psychoactive Medications

The risk of suicide among patients hospitalized because of dependence on prescribed psychoactive medications was estimated among all 1,537 such patients in Stockholm, Sweden over an 8-year period. The suicide standardized mortality ratio was 41.0 among the women & 45.6 among the men who were dependent on such medications alone. It was of a similar magnitude among women & men with concurrent alcohol/street-drug abuse. Among all deaths, 38% were suicides. Primary & secondary psychiatric disorders were common. Professional treatment should entail thorough diagnostic assessment, behavioural/cognitive therapy, & a judicious use of psychoactive medications for anxiety, affective, & personality disorders. (13 refs.)