High OP suicide risk confirmed

2 May 1997

High OP suicide risk confirmed

A HIGH risk of suicide among those suffering chronic organophosphate poisoning has been confirmed in new research by West Country psychiatrist Bob Davis.

As part of his ongoing investigation of mood disorders in confirmed OP sufferers, Dr Davis said he believed more people had been poisoned by sheep dips than were suffering so-called Gulf War syndrome, which has been linked to OP use.

Of 22 farmers he saw who were OP sufferers, 19 reported suicidal impulses. "Almost all the patients, though it must be said often with some prompting, admit to periods of intense impulsive suicidal thinking, during which times they may go as far as loading and pointing shotguns at themselves.n