Patients Who Attend the Emergency Department Following Medication Overdose: Self-reported Mental Health History and Intended Outcomes of Overdose

Medication overdose is a common method of non-fatal self-harm. Previous studies have established which mental health disorders
are commonly associated with the behaviour (affective, substance use, anxiety and personality disorders) and which medications
are most frequently implicated (benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotics and non-opioid analgesics). However, few
studies have explored patient experiences of medication overdose. We address this gap by examining patient stories of a recent
medication overdose event, including severity of depression, intended outcomes and patient experiences of emergency medical
care, in part to determine the unmet needs of this group of patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 patients
attending an urban Emergency Department (ED) in Melbourne, Australia, following a medication overdose regarding their mental
health history, state of mind at the time of the overdose, circumstances of the overdose, and experiences of emergency medical
care. Participants were heterogeneous regarding the severity of depressive symptomatology at the time of overdose. Participant
ratings of how accidental or deliberate the overdose was and how strongly they intended to die were also diverse. Stories
relating to the overdose usually covered the themes of precipitating events, negative feeling states, and intended outcomes
(ambivalent or contradictory). Few problems were identified in relation to the care received in relation to the current overdose.
However, histories of extensive mental health problems were commonly reported, along with unsuccessful treatment for these.
While mental health problems are common among patients attending the ED following a medication overdose, there is considerable
diversity in current levels of distress and intended outcomes, indicating a thorough suicide risk assessment is always warranted.
Presentation to the ED for medication overdose should also trigger a mental health treatment review.