Irritability Strongly Linked to Suicidal Behavior in Major Depression
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Irritability in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and stimulant use disorder (SUD) is strongly linked to suicidality and should be assessed by clinicians. Three clinical trials of adults with MDD and one trial of adults with SUD showed that the link between irritability and suicidality was stronger than the association between depression severity and suicidal behaviors.
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@kanupriya The best way to conceptualize it is that it is the propensity to get angry easily or more frequently as compared to peers in response to frustration. To better understand the potential association between irritability and suicidality, the investigators reviewed results of three trials involving adults with MDD. These trials were the Combining Medications to Enhance Depression Outcomes (CO-MED) trial, which included 665 patients; the Establishing Moderators and Biosignatures of Antidepressant Response in Clinical Care (EMBARC) trial, which included 296 patients; and the Suicide Assessment Methodology Study (SAMS), which included 266 patients.