Does the FDA Proposed List of Possible Correlates of Suicidality Associated With Antidepressants Apply to an Adult Private Practice Population?

This report examines the relevance of the American Food & Drug Administration’s list of possible correlates of suicidality & antidepressant drugs for adults. 650 consecutive outpatients presenting with a major depressive episode to a private practice were interviewed. Suicide ideation was present in 49.3% of the sample & was significantly greater in bipolar II than major depressive disorder. Racing/crowded thoughts emerged as the only significant independent predictor in multiple logistic regression. It is concluded that it would be clinically prudent to avoid the prescription of antidepressant monotherapy to depressive mixed state patients to avert any potential iatrogenic aggravation of their condition. (42 refs.) JA