Lithium and Suicidal Behavior in Major Affective Disorder: a Case-Control Study

A number of studies have suggested that lithium may be particularly effective in reducing suicide risks among patients with major affective disorders. The design of many of these studies left them open to biases associated with treatment compliance, however. Subjects were drawn from a naturalistic, long-term follow-up of patients with major affective disorders. 6 of the 15 patients who committed suicide, & 8 of their controls, were thought to have been taking lithium in the preceding weeks. Among attempters & their controls, 9 & 8, respectively, were taking lithium. These results do not support previous suggestions that lithium has uniquely antisuicidal properties. (23 refs)