Letter to the Editor In response to the article “suicide by psychiatrists” by DRs. Rich and Pitts (J Clin Psychiatry 41:261-263), Dr. Shevitz writes urging adoption of a null hypothesis pending further study. Dr. Shevitz feels that suicide by psychiatrists may be overascertained. He also questions the relationship between primary affective disorder and the psychiatric speciality. Dr. Rich replies, favoring caution yet upholding the validity of data and conclusions from the original article.(TG)