Learn About The Link Between Depression And Suicide
Suicide is defined as the act of killing oneself intentionally, and often stems from severe depression, an illness that interferes with the mental, physical and emotional well being of a person. While most people who are depressed will not end up committing suicide, statistics shown there is a higher risk of suicide with depression.
The latest available data states there’s a possibility that some two percent of people who have been treated for depression through an outpatient service still might commit suicide. Even four percent of people who’ve been treated long term in the hospital have the potential of committing suicide, as well as someone who has tried it in the past will most likely try again and succeed. Other research shows that 7 percent of men with a history of depression will eventually kill themselves whereas only 1 percent of women with history of depression will do so.
The most common method of suicide is by the use of firearms, as it makes up 60 percent of suicides in both genders. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that approximately 80 percent of suicides by white males involve shootings and the next most common method being death by hanging. Drug overdose or self-poisoning is the second most common suicidal method for women.
Other than depression, there are other risk factors for suicide. Sometimes, traumatic life events such as financial difficulties, the death of a loved one or other trials can pose another risk factor for suicidal thoughts and actions. Often a person who grows up in a family with a history of suicide, and they were exposed to suicidal attempts or an actual suicide, can result in a “suicide contagion.” This can constitute another risk factor for suicide. Additional, an atmosphere of family violence, where someone is sexually or physically abused, can trigger the idea of suicide being an option to end the abuse. Other risk factors include alcohol or drug abuse and a history of previous suicide attempts.
Depression is a major problem that needs to be dealt with immediately to help a person keep thoughts of suicide out of their head. It is important that a suicidal person get professional treatment and therapy as quickly as possible. Most of the time, individuals who have suicidal thoughts know that they need help. Depression and suicide often go together, but if one works hard to combat depression, thoughts of suicide will be banished.
Depression in all its forms is a serious problem. Bipolar depression, also known as manic depressive disorder, is particularly problematic and leads to numerous difficulties in a person’s life. Click here to learn more about manic depressive psychosis.