Comments on Jones JE et al. Rates and risk factors for suicide, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts in chronic epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior 2003;4(Suppl. 3):S31-38

Abstract

This paper published in 2003 by Jones et al. [1] embodies a thorough discussion of the issue of suicide in epilepsy further supported by personal experimental data. It was part of a Supplement edited by Andy Kanner and John Barry titled “Depression and Epilepsy: A Closer Look at their Intimate Relationship”. The authors report rates of suicide among individuals with epilepsy comparedwith the general population and discuss risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior, methods for assessing suicidal risk, clinical interventions, and strategies to address suicidal risk in people with epilepsy. Experimental data came from a large study of Axis I disorders in chronic epilepsy, investigating the reliability of MINI diagnoses for current mood disorders compared with the research standard (SCID-I). In their study, suicide rates were significantly higher than those of the general population, pointing out that psychiatric comorbidity is a primary risk factor for suicide. Additionally, the authors remark that suicide assessment in epilepsy should also include family history, health issues, Axis II disorders (e.g., antisocial and borderline personality disorders), severe anxiety, and life stresses, as well as access to firearms or other lethal methods.