title: Natural history of affective disorders: Comorbidity as a predictor of suicide attempts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Comorbidity of psychiatric illnesses and substance misuse can lead to an increase in suicide attempts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data collection from case notes of 81 consecutive admissions to an acute psychiatric ward. Previous diagnoses, substance misuse and suicidal attempts were all examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of suicide attempts among all groups was 40.7%. Alcohol abuse or use of illegal drugs was reported in 69.7% of suicide attempters. More than half of the patients (66.7%) overconsumed alcohol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical implication of the effect of comorbidity on suicidal behaviour and length of stay are discussed.
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Conlon
keywords: Affective Disorder Comorbidity Suicidal Attempts