Suicidal ideation in major depression: Sex differences and impact of comorbid anxiety

Background: Bring female and having comorbid anxiety are both thought to in crease suicidality in patients with major depression. Whether these effects are independent or related to severity of depression is not known. Method: We conducted a retrospective review of 533 patients (190 men. 343 w omen) with major depression at the time of assessment. Results: Suicidal ideation was present in 57.8% of all patients, and 43.2% of all patients had a lifetime anxiety disorder. Significantly more women t han men experienced suicidal ideation, and both men and women with a lifeti me anxiety disorder were more likely to be suicidal. Age and severity of de pression did not account for these results. Conclusions: In patients with a current major depression, being female and having a lifetime anxiety disorder increase suicidality independently of on e another and independently of severity of depression.