Suicidal Behavior in Bipolar Manic-Depressive Patients and Their Families

The authors analyzed the suicidal behavior of bipolar patients & the relationship of this attempt to suicide in their first & second degree relatives. Patients in the study had to qualify under certain criteria, & of those, males tended to have an earlier onset of symptoms & had more suicidal thoughts. The presence of alcoholism is an important factor especially in paternal alcoholics. The study concludes the interaction of environment & genetics produce the background for suicidal behavior.