Suicide, Attempted Suicide, and Relapse Rates in Depression: Occurrence After ECT and Antidepressant Therapy

Compared treatment effects for 519 depressives. After 6 mo., fewer attempts occurred in ECT groups (0.8%) than in the antidepressant group (4.2%) or the “adequate” antidepressant subgroup (7.0%). Fewer attempts occurred in the ECT group than in the antidepressant group both in preadmission attempters (0 vs. 10%) & nonattempters (1.1 vs. 3.6%). A history of attempted suicide showed a greater risk of suicide (2.9%) & attempt (5.9%) in the following yr. Relapse rates did not differ. (61 ref).