Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts: Comorbidity with depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse disorder

Abstract

The effect of comorbidity on rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts from an adult general population of former West Germany is investigated. The assessment instrument is a modified German version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), a fully standardized interview for the assessment of selected DSM-III lifetime diagnoses as well as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Of the general population 4.1% (2.2% male and 4.1% female) made suicide attempts during their lifetime. Only 2 of 18 people who attempted suicide did not meet criteria for a DSM-III-R diagnosis. Cases with pure major depression did not have an odds ratio for suicide attempts significantly higher than subjects with no DSM-III diagnosis. However, cases with both a major depression and a lifetime-anxiety-disorder diagnosis showed significantly elevated odds ratios. Therefore, it is suggested that comorbidity of anxiety and depression, and not depression itself, seems to be a risk factor for suicide attempts.

Life-time history of suicide attempts and coronary artery disease in a community-dwelling elderly population

“…A previous study conducted in Germany has also attested to the strong suicide risk associated with not only depression but also anxiety disorders when depression is also present (Bronisch et al, 1994). This risk is seen to be higher than for depression alone.…”

Sedentary Behavior and Sleep Duration Are Associated with Both Stress Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts in Korean Adults

“…Prolonged, excessive stress or depression are linked with thinking about suicide and attempted suicide (GoldmanMellor et al 2014); and most suicide attempts are by those who have previously thought of suicide (Bronisch and Wittchen 1994). For example, a 14-year follow-up study reported that stress and suicidal ideation were associated with action of suicidal thoughts (Fujino et al 2005).…”

Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Psychiatric Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

“…Depending on the definition applied, the prevalence of suicidal ideation ranges from 47% to 69 % in patients with MDD (Asnis et al, 1993;Bronisch & Wittchen, 1994;Zisook et al, 1994). Various types of non-fatal suicidal behavior tend to be highly prevalent among patients with MDD, who also have a markedly increased risk of completed suicide, of which, non-fatal suicidal behavior is perhaps the most important risk indicator (Harris & Barraclough, 1997).…”