Suicidal behaviour in major depressive illness.

We investigated past suicidal behaviour and family history of suicide in 713 inpatients with major depressive illness. A familial history of suicide (mainly violent) significantly increased the frequency of violent suicidal behaviour in depressive women; bipolar patients being more affected than unipolars. In depressed men, the presence of suicidal behaviour was not significantly affected by polarity. The occurrence of familial suicide significantly increased the risk of violent suicidal behaviour in male depressed attempters. The present study indicates that a familial history of violent suicide is associated with the presence of violent suicidal behaviour in major depressive patients.