Pharmacotherapy of Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour (IN: The International Handbook of Suicide and Attempted Suicide, edited by K Hawton & K van Heeringen)

Virtually all psychiatric disorders are associated with increased rates of suicide. The use of psychotropic drug treatment for the prevention of suicide is based on the principle that successful therapy of an underlying psychiatric disorder will decrease the risk of suicidal ideation & behaviour. While this has been difficult to establish from prospective trials, epidemiological studies suggest rates of suicide are significantly lower in patients treated with antidepressants & mood stabilizers. Factors which may offer alternative explanations for lower suicide rates are also discussed. (59 refs.)