Citation

Michel K, Knecht C, Kohler I, Sturzenegger M. Schweiz. Med. Wochenschr. 1991; 121(31-32): 1133-1139.

Vernacular Title

Suizidversuche in der Agglomeration Bern.

Affiliation

Psychiatrische Universitätspoliklinik Bern.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, EMH Swiss Medical Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1871566

Abstract

In a European multicenter study all the suicide attempts in the city and agglomeration of Berne which came under medical treatment during a 12-month period were surveyed. There were 243 females and 153 males, corresponding to a rate of 177.1 and 128.6 per 100,000 respectively. The investigated region can be regarded as representative of Switzerland. Comparison with other centers shows that the incidence of attempted suicide in Switzerland--unlike that of suicide--is approximately in line with the European average. The usual method is overdose of drugs, in particular benzodiazepines. Nearly all the drugs involved in the overdoses were obviously prescribed by physicians. The choice of drugs suggests that many suicidal people deliberately take anxiety-and tension-reducing agents, a fact which points to a relationship between anxiety states and attempted suicide. Both are to be regarded as the expression of acute emotional stress and require an appropriate therapeutic approach.

Language: de