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[The type of agent auto-intoxication and the degree of suicidal intent]
Background:
The type of the agent used for auto-intoxication may increase or decrease the degree of suicidal intent.
Aim:
To find out whether the type of agent used for auto-intoxication is linked to the degree of suicidal intent at the moment when a patient is given a psychiatric assessment in a general hospital.
Method:
We studied the files of 211 patients who had been assessed following auto-intoxication. The files provided us with information about the type of agent used, the suicidal intent of the patient at the time and about other recent, relevant risk factors.
Results:
At the time of the assessment, benzodiazepines were the only auto-intoxication agents used which seemed to predict suicidal intent.
Conclusion:
Although the results need to be verified in further studies, it can be concluded that auto-intoxication induced only by benzodiazepines can be seen as a serious expression of an individual's wish to die.