Citation

Runeson BS, Rich CL. Int. Rev. Psychiatry 1992; 4(2): 197-203.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/09540269209066317

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Depressive and substance use disorders predominate in the psychopathological backgrounds of suicides of all ages. In five published studies of consecutive suicides by adolescents and young adults, the average reported rates are 41% for major depression and 48% for substance abuse. Personality disorders (PDs) have been less consistently reported with rates varying from 10% to 34% among young suicides. These consist almost exclusively of Borderline (BPD) and Antisocial Personality Disorders (ASPD). "Pure" PDs are rare because of comorbidity with major depression and substance abuse. Follow-up studies of patients with PDs also report similar comorbidity among those who die by suicide. We discuss several hypothetical explanations for this observed comorbidity. Regardless of the explanations, though, the combinations of BPD and ASPD with depressive and/or substance use disorders must be viewed with great caution for their lethal potential. © 1992 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; suicide; adolescence; depression; morbidity; review; substance abuse; mental disease; personality disorder; antisocial behavior; psychiatric diagnosis; follow up; borderline state