Citation

Gomez A. J. Neuroeuropsychiatry (Santiago, Chile) 1998; 36(2): 93-101.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Society of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, Chile)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Prospective studies show a 15% rate of self-inflicted death among patients with mood disorders. Nonfatal types of suicidality are also frequent: a high proportion of depressed patients acknowledge suicidal ideas, and a third have made suicide attempts. Subtyping reveals that major depressives have the higher long-term risk, as compared with depressive bipolars (intermediate risk) and pure maniacs (lower risk). Studies also show non-endogenous, psychotic depressives and secondary (or comorbid) depressives with higher suicide rates than their endogenous, nonpsychotic, and primary (or noncomorbid) counterparts. Some attributes of the depressive episode (past attempts, hopelessness, family history) indicate an increased danger. Recently, research has underscored the relevance of factors associated to short-term and long-term suicide risk. In adolescence, suicide behavior is conditioned by the interaction of psychiatric disorders and environmental stress. Bipolarity and substance disorders, jointly with low social support and family dysfunction, seem specially relevant. Availability of suicidal means (e.g. firearms) at home has been found in diverse studies. In elderly subjects, a high suicidal attempts are frequent. Impaired health, tension in the primary group, residual depression, hopelessness, and past or present suicidal tendencies configure the risk profile in this age group.

Language: es

Keywords

affective neurosis; article; bipolar depression; depression; Depression; human; mania; psychosis; risk assessment; Risk factors; suicidal behavior; Suicide; suicide attempt