Timing of Treatment and Suicide Attempts

This study shows the rate of suicide attempts highest before the start of treatment, followed by the rate the first month of treatment, and declining thereafter. The type of treatment correlates with the absolute rate, likely because of a correlation with severity of depression. Thus treatment by family doctors with antidepressants had lower rates of attempts than treatment with psychotherapy.

The study also implies, the course of depression determines the rate of suicide attempts. At long periods of treatment and improvement progress, the attempt rate decreases. The study rebuts any assertion that anti-depressants cause suicide attempts.

A reasonable editorial adds perspective.