Abstract
Bipolar disorders are prevalent and severe illnesses that are associated with a high risk of suicide. Patients with bipolar disorder who have had prior suicide attempts are at a substantially higher risk for future suicidality, even after controlling for other risk factors. Despite the magnitude of this problem, there is a paucity of controlled prospective data to guide clinical care, most likely due to the difficulties inherent in such studies. The most robust literature supports the use of lithium as a suicide-protective agent in bipolar disorder, but a definitive controlled study in a generalizable population is warranted. As in other areas of psychiatry, a careful assessment of the individual patient risk is of paramount importance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 167-170 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Current Psychosis and Therapeutics Reports |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Phychiatric Mental Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health