Effect of psychosis on suicide risk in 1,593 patients with unipolar and bipolar affective disorders

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Abstract
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 high 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.