Descriptive psychiatric profile of patients presenting with overdose in an inner city hospital
Loading...
Date
2014-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Indian Psychiatric Society
Abstract
Background: The risk faced by elderly people living in Great Britain of accidentally harming themselves by taking potentially lethal mixtures of
medicines is high which was found in the survey of 695 people aged between 78 and 86 years old, living in 24 sheltered housing complexes in
Scotland.
Aim: To find out the profile of patients attending an inner city hospital after taking overdose which would in turn help understanding of the reasoning
for overdose.
Method: The socio-demographic profile of adults attending the inner city hospital in the United Kingdom was recorded and studied for over dose. It
was a retrospective study with recordings from the medical case notes during admission in January 2008 – January 2009 who were brought to the
accident and emergency department.
Results: Average age of 48.67 years with more number of males (n=17) compared to females (n=13), predominantly White British (76.7%) individuals
attempted overdose. Out of the sample studied 86% were found to be deliberate overdose, intent to die was recorded to be present in 63.3%. Multiple
reasons for overdose were predominant (40%) which includes relationship difficulties, pain, debts, feeling low / depressed, argument, bereavement
and stress. Types of medication for overdose, recording made in medical notes regarding overdose has also been studied.
Conclusion: There is a significant psychiatric morbidity among patients who overdose and appropriate psychiatric liaison services are needed to
manage patients. Further studies focusing on the patterns of overdose, timing, medication prescriptions and age of patients are necessary to further
explore the understanding of overdose.
Key message: Older adults attempt suicide with a significant intent to end their lives. Careful consideration is needed when prescribing medication to
older adults who suffer from mental health problems.
Description
Keywords
Older Adults, Overdose, Medication, Suicide, Mental Health
Citation
Khan Farooq A, Sehgal Tarun, Tadros George, Holmes Jennifer. Descriptive psychiatric profile of patients presenting with overdose in an inner city hospital. Andhra Pradesh Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2014 Jul-Dec; 15(2): 181-186