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Psychiatric symptoms in self-poisoning patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

J. G. B. Newson-Smith*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross Hospital, London
S. R. Hirsch
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross Hospital, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr J. G. B. Newson-Smith, Department of Adult Psychiatry, St George's Hospital, London SWI7 0QT.

Synopsis

Self-poisoning patients admitted to hospital were studied for persistence of psychiatric symptoms over a 3-month period and evaluated at 3 points in time with the General Health Questionnaire and the Present State Examination. Symptoms were identified which had a high or low prevalence at 3-month follow-up. GHQ and PSE scores correlated at 0·8. The implications of the study are discussed, particularly the earlier need for out-patient help in those who had a moderate or high number of symptoms at initial interview.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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