title: Self poisoning. A review of patients seen in the Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow.
abstract: Seventy-three patients who had taken a deliberate overdose were seen over a six-week period. Self poisoning was found to be most common in females aged 20 to 29 years and in the unemployed (60%). Most patients had also taken alcohol (63%). The benzodiazepines were the most common drug taken (56%) and most drugs taken were prescribed by the patient's General Practitioner (G.P.) (81%). One-third of those involved had consulted their G.P. within one week of taking the overdose and 40 per cent had a history of previous self poisoning. Eighty-six per cent were admitted to the wards directly from the casualty department and of these, three-quarters were referred for a psychiatric opinion. Fourteen per cent of all patients seen were admitted for further treatment to a psychiatric hospital.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Willox
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000506:poisoning; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012606:Scotland; D012737:Sex Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014478:Unemployment
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000431:Ethanol