Suicidality in DSM IV cluster B personality disorders. An overview

Personality disorders are a considerable risk factor for suicidal behavior. In psychological autopsy studies, individuals with personality disorders are frequently found among suicide victims. Suicidal attempts (which are a major risk factor for completed suicide) are also an important issue among affected patients. We performed careful MedLine, Excerpta Medica, PsycLit and PsycINFO searches from 1980 to 2004. Search terms were "suicide", "personality disorders", "mortality", "follow-up". We identified studies dealing with suicide and the following areas of interest: borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, comorbidity (especially with affective disorder and substance abuse disorder) and risk factors for suicide in personality disorders. Despite the fact that comorbidity with DSM-IV Axis I disorders often impairs a correct judgment of suicidality in personality disorders, this overview showed that some personality disorders have a stronger link to suicide and that identifiable risk factors may be used for the development of preventive measures. Given the fact that personality disorders have high prevalence in the general population, prediction and prevention of suicide among these individuals is a problem of public health.