A profile of the self-poisoner in Michigan

Abstract

We reviewed the charts of all patients (160) ages 15 and older discharged in 1981 from the four hospitals in Lansing, Michigan with a diagnosis of overdose. Females predominated (65 per cent) and the median age was 27 years. The most common reason for intentional self-poisoning was 'significant-other' conflict (54.5 per cent), followed by family conflict and financial problems. Benzodiazepines were most commonly used followed by acetylsalicylic acid and ethanol.