Intermittent, short-lived episodes of depression were examined in a group of 20 recurrent suicide attempters without major depression. The average duration of the depressions was 3 days. They occurred erratically with a median interval of 18 days, & were classified as moderate to severe depression. The authors assert that patients exhibiting suicidal behavior & short-lived depression form a distinct group, & treatment for this group is necessary. (VM)