Last suicide attempt before completed suicide in severe depression: an extended suicidal process may be found in men rather than women.

The objective of this study was to compare the time from last suicide attempt to suicide in men and women with major depressive disorder with melancholic and/or psychotic features. The case records of 100 suicide victims with severe depression were evaluated. All suicide attempts during the course of depression were noted. The time from last suicide attempt to suicide was compared as well as the occurrence of suicide attempt during the last depressive episode, by gender. Male suicide attempters made fewer suicide attempts than women during their last depressive episode before suicide (8% versus 37%). Men appeared to have a more extended suicidal process from suicide attempt to completed suicide, which ought to be considered in the after-care.