The depiction of a suicide attempt in a popular television drama had short term effects on the rate of self poisoning attemptsEffects of a drug overdose in a television drama on presentations to hospital for self poisoning: time series and questionnaire study.
- Denny, Dr Roger
- Hawton, K
- Simkin, S
- Deeks, JJ
- O'Connor, S
- Keen, A
- Altman, G
- Philo, G
- Bulstrode, C
BACKGROUND
Previous retrospective studies have produced conflicting information on the reporting or depiction of suicides on television and suicidal behavior.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between a paracetamol overdose in the TV medical drama Casualty and general hospital presentations for deliberate self-poisoning.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
Forty-nine UK accident and emergency departments and general psychiatric services with 4403 patients; questionnaires completed for 1047.
METHOD
Prospective cohort study. Participating centers provided weekly data on all presentations for overdose during the 3 weeks before and after the programms broadcast. Questionnaire responses were collected from people with self-poisoning during the same periods.
LITERATURE REVIEW
No explicit strategy; 25 references.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Number of reported self-poisoning attempts.
Use of paracetamol and other drugs in suicide attempts.
Self-reported viewing of the episode.
RESULTS
Self-poisoning rates were 17% higher in the first week after the broadcast (95% CI 7% to 28%); 9% higher in the second week (95% CI 0 to 19%), and returned to baseline in the third week. Increases in paracetamol overdoses were more marked than increases in non-paracetamol overdoses. Thirty-two people interviewed in the week after the broadcast reported having seen the episode. Of these, 20% said that it had influenced their decision to take an overdose and 17% said that it had influenced their choice of drug. Among viewers of the program, paracetamol overdoses doubled following the episode (106% rise, 95% CI 28 to 232%).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the depiction of a suicide attempt in a popular television drama had short term effects on the rate of self harm attempts and choice of drug. Program makers should think carefully before representing self harm behavior.