A comparison of the backgrounds of first time and repeated overdose patients.

Abstract

SUMMARYThis study examines the differences between two groups of parasuicide patients: 'first-timers' (patients admitted to hospital following their first overdose) and 'repeaters' (patients admitted with an overdose who had made at least one previous suicide attempt). The two patient groups were compared for factors known to increase the risk of parasuicide as well as for the experience of selfreported past sexual abuse and for symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Out of a total of 100 patients interviewed, seven (15%) of first-timers gave a history of sexual abuse and complained of an average of 0.55 symptoms of PTSD. Among repeaters, 28 (53%) gave a history of sexual abuse and complained of an average of 1.84 symptoms of PTSD. Both results were statistically significant at P < 0.001.

Repetition of Deliberate Self-Harm as Seen in Uganda

“…The social factors reported include: living alone, having a criminal record, a history of stressful life events such as broken homes, family violence, unhappy childhood, poor school performance, early separation of parents, and sexual abuse. The same social factors were reported by several other authors (Barnes, 1986;Gispert, Davis, Marsh et al, 1987;Kerkhof, 2000;Kotila & Lonnqvist, 1987;Krarup, Nielsen, Rask et al, 1991;Taylor, Kent, & Huws, 1994;Wang, Nielsen, Bille-Brahe et al, 1985). Psychological factors associated with DSH repetition include: substance abuse, depression, hopelessness, personality disorders, previous psychiatric treatment, family history of suicide or DSH, anger, suicidal intent, and organic brain disorder (Hawton et al, 1999;Kerkhof, 2000;Pierce, 1984;Taylor, Kent, & Huws, 1994;Wang, Nielsen, Bille-Brahe et al, 1985).…”

Factors Contributing to Parasuicide among Patients Aged 18 - 35 Admitted at a National Psychiatric Hospital, Zimbabwe

“…People who attempt suicide come from abusive and traumatic environments [27]. A separate study demonstrated that there was a childhood pattern of exposure to irresponsible and overprotective parenting among adult parasuicidal patients [28]. In the study context, it is possible that respondents came from dysfunctional families where there was no family cohesion characterised by abuse of the respondents.…”

The Economic Costs of Child Sexual Abuse in Canada

“…The short-term or delayed long-term consequences often include increased risk for physical and psychological problems. These include, but are not limited to: self-harming behaviour (Briere, 1989), posttraumatic stress (Arata, 1999;Widom, 1999;Rodriguez et al, 1997;Wolfe, Sas, & Wekerele, 1994;Rowan & Foy, 1993), depression (Cheasty, Clare, & Collins, 1998;Garnefski & Diekstra, 1997;Mullen, Martin, Anderson, Romans, & Herbison, 1993;Bushnell, Wells, & Oakley-Browne, 1992), greater risk for psychiatric hospitalization (Brown & Anderson, 1991;Briere, Woo, McRae, Foltz, & Sitzman, 1997;Fisher, 1998;Muenzenmaier, Meyer, Struening et al, 1993;Briere & Currier, in press), eating disorders (Deep, Lilenfeld, Plotnicov, Pollice, & Kaye, 1999;Brown, Russell, Thornton, & Dunn, 1997;Wanderlich, Wilsnack et al, 1996), addictions (substance-abuse problems) (Schafer, Schnack, & Soyka, 2000;Garnefski & Diekstra, 1997;Robin, Chester, Rasmussen, Jaranson, Goldman, 1997;Moncrieff, Drummond, Candy, Checinski, & Farmer, 1996), indiscriminate sexual behaviour leading to higher propensity for STDs and HIV/AIDS (Mathews, 1996;Allers, Benjack, White, & Rousey, 1993), suicidality (Davidson, Hughes, George, & Blazer, 1996;Taylor, Kent, & Huws, 1994;Van Egmond, Garnefski, Jonker, & Kerhof, 1993;Bayatpour, Wells, & Holford, 1992). In addition, survivors are prone to lower educational and employment attainment (Hyman, 1993;Widom, 1997), difficulty function...…”

“…However, suicide, which has been linked to child sexual abuse, has a clear PYLL. Using the same method as was used with ICD-9 codes in the health policy section, child sexual abuse research was utilized to attribute 63% of suicides to child sexual abuse (Taylor et al, 1994;Van Egmond et al, 1993: Davidson et al, 1996Bayatpour, Wells, & Holford, 1992;Lipovsky & Kilpatrick, 1992;Briere & Zaidi, 1989;Briere & Runtz, 1987;Bagley & Ramsey, 1986). Based on that percentage, the PYLL for suicide due to child sexual abuse is 69,432.…”