Citation

Burgess S, Hawton KE, Loveday G. J. Adolesc. 1998; 21(2): 209-218.

Affiliation

Warneford Hospital, Oxford, U.K.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1006/jado.1997.0142

PMID

9585497

Abstract

Adolescent self-poisoners were followed up 3 months after taking an overdose. High levels of psychopathology were found, with 72% (18/25) of the adolescents having a diagnosable psychiatric disorder and 48% (12/25) major depression. All the adolescents were offered follow-up treatment from health or social services. Compliance with treatment was very high. Seventy-two per cent of the adolescents found treatment useful to them. The adolscents received a generally sympathetic response from their significant others. Fifty-four per cent of the adolescents thought that their overdose had resulted overall in improvements to their lives but 44% would consider taking an overdose again in similar circumstances.

Language: en