Overdosing: A common form of suicide attempt

Three hundred and eighteen subjects referred to the Out-patients' Departmen t of Eginition hospital, Athens, as emergency psychiatric cases after attem pted suicide by drug-overdose were studied. The drugs used for the suicidal attempt in order of frequency were: anxiolytics (50%), neuroleptics (15%), analgesics (14%), antidepressants (9%) etc. Overdosers who used a great nu mber of tablets (greater than or equal to 30) more often suffered from schi zophrenia, had a history of previous suicidal attempt, had a concurrent som atic illness and immediate psychiatric hospitalization was recommended to t hem. Attempters using a small number of tablets (less than or equal to 12) more often manifested personality disorders and management on out-patient b asis was advised for them.