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 Potash, J. B. Articles by DePaulo, J. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Potash, J. B. Articles by DePaulo, J. R., Jr. Bipolar Disorder Alcohol Suicide Genetics

Attempted Suicide and Alcoholism in Bipolar Disorder: Clinical and Familial Relationships

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the clinical and familial relationships between comorbid alcoholism and attempted suicide in affectively ill relatives of probands with bipolar I disorder. METHOD: In 71 families ascertained for a genetic linkage study, 337 subjects with major affective disorder were assessed by using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia—Lifetime Version. RESULTS: Subjects with bipolar disorder and alcoholism had a 38.4% lifetime rate of attempted suicide, whereas those without alcoholism had a 21.7% rate. Attempted suicide among subjects with bipolar disorder and alcoholism clustered in a subset of seven families. Families with alcoholic and suicidal probands had a 40.7% rate of attempted suicide in first-degree relatives with bipolar disorder, whereas other families had a 19.0% rate. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid alcoholism was associated with a higher rate of attempted suicide among family members with bipolar disorder. Attempted suicide and alcoholism clustered in a subset of families. These relationships may have a genetic origin and may be mediated by intoxication, mixed states, and/or temperamental instability.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. J Ross The many ailments of Herman Melville (1819-91) J Med Biogr, February 1, 2008; 16(1): 21 - 29. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. E. Fisfalen, T. G. Schulze, J. R. DePaulo Jr., L. J. DeGroot, J. A. Badner, and F. J. McMahon Familial Variation in Episode Frequency in Bipolar Affective Disorder Am J Psychiatry, July 1, 2005; 162(7): 1266 - 1272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. R. R. Krishnan Psychiatric and Medical Comorbidities of Bipolar Disorder Psychosom Med, January 1, 2005; 67(1): 1 - 8. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. M.A. Hirschfeld, C. L. Bowden, M. J. Gitlin, P. E. Keck, R. H. Perlis, T. Suppes, M. E. Thase, and K. D. Wagner Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Bipolar Disorder (Revision) Focus, January 1, 2003; 1(1): 64 - 110. [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2000 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

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