Prospective study of social and psychiatric aspects in self poisoned patients

A prospective follow-up study of 257 self poisoned patients in Trondheim, Norway, is presented. The patients were mainly young females living in the central areas of the city where social, psychiatric and material problems are common. The psychiatrist found a suicidal intention in 25.7% of male and in 29.8% of female patients. About half the patients received some psychiatric (28.7%) or social help (21.4%) after discharge. One and/or six months after discharge 229 (89.1%) of the patients were interviewed again. At 6 months 61.1% of male and 50.9% of female patients said that their situation had improved. For the rest it had not changed or had worsened. Suicidal plans were expressed by 1.0% of male patients and 3.9% of female patients. During the first year after discharge four men (3.9%) and two women (1.4%) committed suicide. It seems important to keep in contact with the patients after discharge to identify those who need further help.