SUICIDE IN PSYCHOTIC MAJOR DEPRESSION

A sample of unipolar DSM-III-R major depressive suicide victims repres enting all suicides in current unipolar major depression within 1 year in Finland was carefully examined by psychological autopsy. The sampl e was divided into currently psychotic (n = 24) or non-psychotic (n = 46) subgroups, the psychotic subgroup was described and the two subgro ups were compared. The majority (79%) of psychotic as well as nonpsych otic (87%) major depressive suicide victims were found to be complicat ed, comorbid cases. No major differences between the psychotic and non psychotic subgroups were found in sociodemographic features, comorbidi ty, clinical history or communication of suicide intent. However, the psychotic victims were more likely to have used violent suicide method s (88% vs. 59%).