Over-the-counter drug overdose, a common method among suicidal youth?

Youth suicide attempt is often conducted through over-the-counter drugs overdose, concluded by a study conducted by the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.

About 1.68 million suspected cases of suicide by self-poisoning from 2000–2018 were reviewed by the researchers. About 90% of the cases involved drug overdose, the majority are female. Two most common substances used are over-the-counter painkillers and antidepressants. More than one-third of self-poisoning cases had used both of these.

Dr. Henry Spiller, who is the lead author and the director of the poison center who conducted the study, suggested that the availability of the drugs are most likely the reason for this choice. Aside from every house has it at home, it can be purchased easily and is quite cheap.

Over-the-counter painkillers are usually safe for consumption, but large doses can be fatal. Common side effects of drug overdose include liver failure, metabolic acidosis, seizures, and even coma and death.

Children at the age group of 10 to 15 often misused the medication for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The older age group, on the other hand, usually use sedatives like benzodiazepines.

Antihistamines were common in all age groups, except for 22 to 25 years old.

John Ackerman, co-author and a clinical psychologist of the hospital, said that many families do not take extra precautions to store these medicines safely, and he called it a "big problem", like what their study suggested.

Dr. Lois Lee, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Boston Children's Hospital, emphasized that this study should be a reminder to all parents to lock these substances away from their children, even the older ones. She suggested using a medicine box that has a lock only parents could access for security.

The Ohio researchers also found out that within the 8-year span, suicide attempts by poisoning had increased significantly. For the age group of 10–18, it had increased by 94%. Girls ages 10 to 15 have a rate of 151% for the same period. The data retrieved from 49 children's hospitals also revealed that patient admissions involving suicidal behaviors among children aged 5 to 17 from 2008 to 2015 increased by almost 100%.

During summer, suicide attempts among youth under 18 dropped, but not in the older age. In fact, the 22–25 age groups spiked.

Rural communities also have a higher successful suicide rate among teens. Researchers suggested that greater social isolation and lack of access to mental health services are to be blamed for this situation.

Although most children who had self-poisoned themselves have survived, they might suffer from severe consequences, Dr. Lee said. Most drugs take time to feel its effect. Since suicide is usually an impulsive act, the doer will have enough time to contemplate and change mind.

Suicide is currently the second-leading cause of death among Americans aged 10–25. The study published by The Journal of Pediatrics earlier this year revealed that the suicide attempts on this age bracket have increased by two-fold from 2000 to 2018.