Leo Sher, M.D.

Professor Zoltan Rihmer, an eminent psychiatrist and a leading world expert in psychiatric research, and his colleague, Professor Xenia Gonda have published the article, “Pharmacological prevention of suicide in patients with major mood disorders” (1). Mood disorders are frequently associated with suicidal behavior. Between 5 and 15% of patients with unipolar major depression and bipolar disorders die by suicide, and among mood disorder patients who have ever been hospitalized the suicide rate is between 15 and 20%. This underlines the importance of discussing how to prevent suicide in individuals with mood disorders.In their article, Professors Rihmer and Gonda review the studies of the role of antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics in the prevention of suicidal behavior. The authors suggest that “Findings of current clinical research clearly indicate that successful acute and long-term treatment of unipolar major depression and bipolar disorders markedly reduces suicide morbidity and mortality even in this high-risk population.” To read the abstract of this article, please click here.

1. Rihmer Z, Gonda X. Pharmacological prevention of suicide in patients with major mood disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2013 Dec;37(10 Pt 1):2398-403.