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Seasonal distribution of suicide in alcoholism
Author(s) -
Brådvik Louise,
Berglund Mats
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2002.02234.x
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , psychiatry , alcohol dependence , medicine , suicide attempt , autopsy , poison control , suicide prevention , psychology , alcohol , medical emergency , chemistry , biochemistry , economics , macroeconomics
Brådvik L, Berglund M. Seasonal distribution of suicide in alcoholism. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2002: 106: 299–302. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2002. Objective: To investigate the seasonal distribution of suicide in alcohol dependence and to make a comparison with unnatural death in alcoholism and suicide in other diagnostic groups. Method: Multiaxial ratings of all patients admitted to the Department of Psychiatry in Lund enabled the selection of patients with alcohol dependence ( n =1312) during 1949–1969. When followed up to 1997 a total of 102 (99 men) alcoholic patients had taken their own life. Reference groups were patients with severe depression and autopsy cases with other diagnoses. Results: The alcoholic patients showed a peak during the second quarter of the year (34%, P < 0.05). Other diagnostic groups of suicide and unnatural death in alcoholism did not show any overrepresentation in the spring. Conclusion: Male alcoholics showed a spring peak of suicide as opposed to other diagnostic groups.