The authors report suicide risk among 1,593 patients with major
depression or bipolar disorder, 443 (27.8%) of whom were psychotic (260
bipolar and 183 unipolar). The subjects were followed for 0-14 years, and
their suicide experience was compared with that of the state population.
Eight (19.5%) of the 41 suicide victims were from the psychotic group. The
psychotic and nonpsychotic subjects in each diagnostic group had similar
risks for suicide. A higher risk for suicide was not found in the bipolar
subjects. The authors conclude that among patients with major affective
disorder psychosis per se does not predispose to suicide.
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