title: Suicidal behavior in bipolar disorder: epidemiology, characteristics and major risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suicide is one of the leading causes of death and a major public health problem worldwide, and the majority of suicide attempters and completers suffer from some major affective disorder at the time of their death, which, in the majority of cases is unrecognized, under- or misdiagnosed and untreated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on a systematic literature search, the authors give a detailed and critical overview of established risk factors of suicide in bipolar disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among affective disorders, bipolar disorder carries the highest risk of suicide, yet not all bipolar patients commit or even attempt suicide during their illness. While the general suicide risk factors also apply for bipolar disorders, there are several disease-specific risk factors as well which should be taken into account when evaluating suicide risk in case of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is crucial to identify suicide risk factors in bipolar disorder to be able to differentiate those patients within this already increased-risk illness group who are at especially high risk and therefore to allow for better prediction and prevention of suicidal acts.
authors: Department of Clinical and Theoretical Mental Health, Kútvölgyi Clinical Center, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi ut 4., 1125 Budapest, Hungary. kendermagos@yahoo.com
authors: Xenia
authors: X
authors: Gonda
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Pompili
authors: Gianluca
authors: G
authors: Serafini
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Montebovi
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Campi
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Dome
authors: Timea
authors: T
authors: Duleba
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Girardi
authors: Zoltan
authors: Z
authors: Rihmer
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention