Suicide in Severe Depression Related to Treatment: Depressive Characteristics and Rate of Antidepressant Overdose

This study assessed the association between depressive characteristics & completed suicide despite adequate antidepressant therapy in severe depression & investigated the frequency of lethal antidepressant overdoses. A record evaluation was performed of 98 suicide victims with a primary severe depression & admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, Lund University Hospital between 1956-1969. Follow-up continued to 1998. Psychomotor retardation was related to completed suicide after electroconvulsive therapy. The estimated frequency of lethal intoxication with antidepressants was low: 3% of the suicides. (38 refs.) JA