This study investigated demographic, clinical, & symptomolgic features of the following mood disorder subtypes: bipolar disorder I; bipolar disorder II; major depressive disorder, recurrent; & major depressive disorder, single episode. 1832 Italian patients with mood disorders were included. Bipolar disorder II patients had a higher suicide risk than both bipolar disorder I & major depressive disorder, single episode patients. No differences were found with regard to the violence of suicide attempts between mood disorder subtypes. (111 refs) (SC)