Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Oquendo, M. A. Articles by Mann, J. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Oquendo, M. A. Articles by Mann, J. J. Depression Suicide Antidepressants

Inadequacy of Antidepressant Treatment for Patients With Major Depression Who Are at Risk for Suicidal Behavior

OBJECTIVE: The authors' goal was to determine whether suicide attempters with major depression received more intensive antidepressant treatment than depressed patients who had not attempted suicide. METHOD: One hundred eighty inpatients who met DSM-III-R criteria for a major depressive episode according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R were enrolled in the study. All patients were assessed for lifetime history of suicide attempts. Depressive symptoms at the index hospitalization were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Strength of antidepressant treatment over the 90 days preceding the hospitalization was scored by using the Antidepressant Treatment History Form. RESULTS: A large majority of the depressed patients with a history of suicide attempts, who were at higher risk for future suicide and suicide attempts, received inadequate treatment. Similarly, most of the depressed patients at lower risk for suicide attempts also received inadequate treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Major depression is undertreated pharmacologically, regardless of history of suicide attempt. Some suicide attempts may be preventable if the problem of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of depression can be overcome by psychoeducation for health professionals and the public.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. D. Gibbons, C. H. Brown, K. Hur, S. M. Marcus, D. K. Bhaumik, J. A. Erkens, R. M.C. Herings, and J. J. Mann Early Evidence on the Effects of Regulators' Suicidality Warnings on SSRI Prescriptions and Suicide in Children and Adolescents Am J Psychiatry, September 1, 2007; 164(9): 1356 - 1363. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Szanto, S. Kalmar, H. Hendin, Z. Rihmer, and J. J. Mann A Suicide Prevention Program in a Region With a Very High Suicide Rate Arch Gen Psychiatry, August 1, 2007; 64(8): 914 - 920. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Whitlock and K. L. Knox The Relationship Between Self-injurious Behavior and Suicide in a Young Adult Population Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, July 1, 2007; 161(7): 634 - 640. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Gibbons, K. Hur, D. K. Bhaumik, and J. J. Mann The Relationship Between Antidepressant Prescription Rates and Rate of Early Adolescent Suicide Am J Psychiatry, November 1, 2006; 163(11): 1898 - 1904. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Dopheide Recognizing and treating depression in children and adolescents Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., February 1, 2006; 63(3): 233 - 243. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Mann, A. Apter, J. Bertolote, A. Beautrais, D. Currier, A. Haas, U. Hegerl, J. Lonnqvist, K. Malone, A. Marusic, et al. Suicide Prevention Strategies: A Systematic Review JAMA, October 26, 2005; 294(16): 2064 - 2074. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Mann, J. Bortinger, M. A. Oquendo, D. Currier, S. Li, and D. A. Brent Family History of Suicidal Behavior and Mood Disorders in Probands With Mood Disorders Am J Psychiatry, September 1, 2005; 162(9): 1672 - 1679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Gibbons, K. Hur, D. K. Bhaumik, and J. J. Mann The Relationship Between Antidepressant Medication Use and Rate of Suicide Arch Gen Psychiatry, February 1, 2005; 62(2): 165 - 172. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Oquendo, M. Kamali, S. P. Ellis, M. F. Grunebaum, K. M. Malone, B. S. Brodsky, H. A. Sackeim, and J. J. Mann Adequacy of Antidepressant Treatment After Discharge and the Occurrence of Suicidal Acts in Major Depression: A Prospective Study Am J Psychiatry, October 1, 2002; 159(10): 1746 - 1751. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Mann A Current Perspective of Suicide and Attempted Suicide Ann Intern Med, February 19, 2002; 136(4): 302 - 311. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. K. Houston, L. A. Cooper, H. T. Vu, J. Kahn, J. Toser, and D. E. Ford Screening the Public for Depression Through the Internet Psychiatr Serv, March 1, 2001; 52(3): 362 - 367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A. Rasmussen, H. Hendin, B. Rosenfeld, W. Breitbart, D. W. Reichel, M. T. Manning, L. Ganzini, M. A. Lee, T. A. Schmidt, J. H. Groenewoud, et al. Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia N. Engl. J. Med., July 13, 2000; 343(2): 150 - 153. [Full Text]

				K. M. Malone, M. A. Oquendo, G. L. Haas, S. P. Ellis, S. Li, and J. J. Mann Protective Factors Against Suicidal Acts in Major Depression: Reasons for Living Am J Psychiatry, July 1, 2000; 157(7): 1084 - 1088. [Abstract] [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1999 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us