Abstract
Suicide Attempts Among Patients Starting Depression Treatment With Medications or Psychotherapy
Simon G E~~Savarino J
Outpatients claims from a prepaid health plan were used to identify new episodes of depression treatment beginning with an antidepressant prescription in primary care, an antidepressant prescription from a psychiatrist, or an initial psychotherapy visit. Outpatient & inpatient claims were used to identify suicide attempts or possible suicide attempts during the 90 days before & 180 days after the start of treatment. Overall incidence of suicide attempt was highest among patients receiving antidepressant prescriptions from psychiatrists, lower among those starting psychotherapy, & lowest among those receiving antidepressant prescriptions in primary care. The pattern of attempts over time was the same in all three groups. (19 refs.)