Antisuicidal Effect of Lithium Treatment in Major Mood Disorders (IN: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Suicide Assessment and Intervention, edited by D G Jacobs)

This chapter considers previously reported & new evidence which suggests that lithium has a strong, & possibly unique, protective effect against suicidal behaviour in persons with major affective disorders, & particularly in bipolar forms of manic-depressive illness. Additionally, results from a large study of bipolar I & II patients are reported. Patients who were treated in Cagliari, Sardinia were studied for risk of life-threatening acts before, during, & after lithium maintenance treatment.