Roberto Tatarelli

Most cases of suicide (81%-95%) in the general population involve psychiatric illnesses, nearly half of which (48.5%) are mood disorders. Internationally, the overall average suicide rate has been rising gradually over the past half-century, with increases reported in about half of nations, mainly among men, and moderate decreases found in another half, including in Northern Europe and North America. This book reviews whether the use of antidepressants is associated with benefits in terms of completed or attempted suicide, whether the increasing use of SSRIs is associated with benefits in terms of decreased rates of suicide with the aim of generating evidence-based suggestions for clinicians.

The main purpose of this book is to provide the first comprehensive analysis of suicide in psychiatric patients. 95% of those who commit suicide had a psychiatric disorder and yet suicide is rarely investigated in psychiatric patients. The book provides a relevant contribution to the prediction and prevention of suicide. This is a first book devoted to the subject with comprehensive chapters, including epidemiology, risk factors, preventive strategies and available treatments.