Definition and management of suicidality in psychiatric patients.

The US Food and Drug Administration warnings that psychotropic medications may increase the risk of suicidality have generated concern about prescribing these agents to patients with psychiatric disorders, many of whom are already at increased risk for suicide. To effectively prevent suicidal behaviors and suicide in clinical practice, clinicians must understand the dangers and benefits associated with psychotropic medications. In addition, they must learn how to identify and manage suicidal risk during treatment.