Suicide Behaviors in Bipolar Disorder: A Review and Update for the Clinician

John L Beyer; Richard H Weisler

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2015.09.002

Suicide Behaviors in Bipolar Disorder: A Review and Update for the Clinician

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016 Mar;39(1):111-23. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2015.09.002. Epub 2015 Dec 22.

Authors

John L Beyer¹, Richard H Weisler²

Affiliations

¹ Duke University Medical Center, Box 3519, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: john.beyer@dm.duke.edu.
² Duke University Medical Center, Box 3519, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

PMID: 26876322
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2015.09.002

Abstract

Suicide behaviors (ideation, attempts, and completions) are unfortunately common in patients with bipolar disorder. It is estimated that 25 to 50% attempt suicide at least once during their lifetime, and 6% to 19% complete suicide. Risk factors include a family history of suicide, previous suicide attempts, younger age of onset, comorbid psychiatric illnesses, and psychological constructs like hopelessness. Pharmacologic treatment may impact suicidal behaviors, either increasing vulnerability or resilience. Clinicians need to be particularly sensitive to their patient's thoughts and beliefs about death, particularly during stressful times of life or when in a depressive/mixed episode of bipolar disorder.

Keywords: Antidepressants; Bipolar; Depression; Lithium; Risk factors; Suicide.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Bipolar Disorder / psychology*
Bipolar Disorder / therapy
Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy
Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
Humans
Male
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Suicide / psychology*
Suicide / statistics & numerical data
Suicide Prevention
Suicide, Attempted*