Suicidal Ideation in Major Depression: Sex Differences and Impact of Comorbid Anxiety

Abstract

Being female and having comorbid anxiety are both thought to increase suicidality in patients with major depression. Whether these effects are independent or related to severity of depression is not known. We conducted a retrospective review of 533 patients (190 men, 343 women) with major depression at the time of assessment. Suicidal ideation was present in 57.8% of all patients, and 43.2% of all patients had a lifetime anxiety disorder. Significantly more women than men experienced suicidal ideation, and both men and women with a lifetime anxiety disorder were more likely to be suicidal. Age and severity of depression did not account for these results. In patients with a current major depression, being female and having a lifetime anxiety disorder increase suicidality independently of one another and independently of severity of depression.