Citation

Dilsaver SC. Psychiatric Times 2007; 24(6): 29-32.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Nearly 19% of all patients with BD commit suicide in the absence of effective treatment. There are static factors that increase the risk of suicide and others that decrease it. However, the most important factors are dynamic in nature - those that have to do with mood state and change in mood state. The erroneous diagnosis of BD as MDD, an anxiety disorder, or a personality disorder places patients at an increased risk for suicide because it may lead to the use of potentially harmful treatments and a delay in the institution of effective treatment. On the other hand, overlooking and withholding treatment for comorbid anxiety disorders and substance use disorders can also greatly increase the risk of suicide attempts and completed suicide. Changes in nosological schemata occurring over the next decade, such as the redefinition of hypomania and the official recognition of the DMX, stand to positively affect clinical practice and decrease the rate of suicide associated with BD.

Language: en